Catcher Francisco Pena on rejoining the Orioles

Catcher Francisco Pena found out after Triple-A Norfolk's game last night at Durham that he was headed back to the majors, although it could be for just a day or two this time.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters went on paternity leave today and could miss as few as one or as many as three games, although two seems most likely. So the 26-year-old Pena, son of Yankees first base coach Tony Pena, is back with Baltimore.

"I'm excited to be here," Pena said this afternoon. "This is a group of guys that welcomed me very well when I was here last time, and I'm happy to be here and will try to help the team any way I can."

The Orioles traded with the Royals on Dec. 2, 2015, to get Pena for cash considerations. He had two stints in the majors with the Royals last year and was with the Orioles this season in June when Caleb Joseph was on the disabled list. He homered in his first game with the team on June 2 against Boston. In nine Orioles games, Pena hit .219 (7-for-32) with a homer and three RBIs.

The earlier stint here could help now.

"I believe so," Pena said. "Being here, having confidence in myself. In spring training, I met all those guys and caught them (the pitchers) over there. But doing that at the major league level boosts my confidence even more. I think it will help me a lot."

In 54 games with Norfolk, where he has split time with Audry Perez, Pena has hit .246/.298/.377 (47-for-191) with 11 doubles, one triple, four home runs and 23 RBIs. He hit safely in each of his last six games with the Tides, posting a .333/.385/.500 (8-for-24) slash line in that span.

Any chance he gets at this level provides a chance to show the major league staff what he can do.

"Just not trying to put too much pressure on myself and just support my teammates here and win some ballgames. We're in a race here and looking to win games to make the playoffs," he said.

The Orioles usually add a catcher with the September call-ups. Pena said he has not heard yet whether that will be him this year.

"No idea, no idea," he said. "When we were down there (at Triple-A), we were mostly just focusing on our game there. We're in a race for the playoffs down there and we just were concentrating on the season over there and trying to win ballgames. They haven't said anything about it. Just want to keep playing hard and see what happens."

As his first season in the O's organization winds down, he said it has been a good one.

"I think they are great," Pena added. "They are giving me the opportunity to play at the lower level, at Triple-A, and giving me the chance to play at the major league level. I really appreciate the opportunity they are giving me."