Corban Joseph on his return to the majors

The only way that Corban Joseph's day could have gotten any better would have been to walk inside the Orioles' clubhouse this afternoon and hug his brother.

Caleb Joseph remains with Triple-A Norfolk after the Orioles optioned him on May 17. They spoke on the phone after Corban learned of his promotion from Double-A Bowie, his return to the majors taking five years.

"I called him and he's real excited," Corban said.

Imagine how Corban would have reacted if told in March that he'd be in Baltimore instead of Caleb, who broke camp as the starting catcher.

"I would have probably said that you were a liar," he said. "It's been a crazy offseason and a crazy year so far. I'm very blessed that the Orioles gave me an opportunity to come to camp and being where I am today, it's just amazing.

"I would have loved to have him here. I know he's taking care of business in Norfolk and he's doing what he needs to be doing. It's just a matter of time before he gets back up. I'm looking forward to him coming back up and hopefully we can be in the same locker room."

Caleb sent out the following tweet earlier today:

"Major Congrats to my little brother @joseph_corban for his hard work and perseverance for 5 years since his last MLB appearance! You fought the good fight, you kept the faith. Now finish the race! Love you very much Bro!"

Baysox manager Gary Kendall passed along the news to Joseph this morning that he'd be joining the Orioles after batting 336/.394/.550 in 59 games with Bowie.

"I'm really excited," he said. "I got to spend this time with my family. My two girls are in town, so it's been a long morning, but a lot of fun.

"I feel like I'm in a good spot right now. I feel like I've been swinging it pretty good. I'm sticking with my approach and just trying to drive the baseball."

Joseph, 29, played in both ends of a May 13, 2013 doubleheader with the Yankees, went 1-for-6 with a walk and never made it back to the bigs. They released him in August 2014 and he's bounced around in the Braves, Orioles and Nationals organizations. The Orioles signed him again on Feb. 14.

"It's been a while, but I think it's part of the game," he said. "The grind is what makes this game so special. You can have success in the game and you might not be where you want to be, but you've just got to keep on working hard and try to do your best.

"I really didn't think about it much. I was more focused on the team in Bowie and trying to win ballgames. That's what it all comes down to. And just trying to control what I can control.

"It was a special day with the Yankees, my debut, and playing a doubleheader was crazy. Just being here right now, my one goal is trying to help this team win. If that's for one day, if that's for the rest of the year, that's not up to me. I just try to control what I can control and that's trying to play as hard as I can for the team."

Manager Buck Showalter wasted no time getting Joseph in the lineup, putting him at first base and batting him leadoff. He also can handle second and third base and the corner outfield spots.

"I think it's extremely important," he said. "A lot of people just think I can play second base and haven't really given me a shot and that's one of the reasons why I was happy to be with Gary, because I know Gary will put me anywhere he knows I can play. To have him put me where some spots I'm not fully comfortable at to get a little more comfortable is a blessing."

The Orioles have lost seven games in a row and 14 of 16 while continuing to own the worst record in baseball. Players at the affiliates keep track of it.

"I think as a team at Bowie and at every level, you're trying to win ballgames and just trying to do the best you can to potentially help this team up here win. Just playing your best game," Joseph said.

"Everybody's locked in on what they need to be doing and we're just ready whenever we're needed."