Orioles select Corban Joseph's contract

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

September 07, 2018, 10:08am

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have expanded their active roster today and created more versatility by selecting Corban Joseph's contract from Double-A Bowie.

Joseph has joined the Orioles for their weekend series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He's been assigned uniform No. 64.

The younger brother of catcher Caleb Joseph, Corban was 1-for-9 in four games with the Orioles in June before they designated him for assignment and outrighted him. He made the Eastern League's All-Star Team, voted by managers, coaches and media, while batting .312/.381/.497 with 30 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 122 games.

Joseph ended the season with an eight-game hitting streak, going 11-for-36 with two home runs.

The Orioles roster includes utility infielder Steve Wilkerson, who joined the team in St. Petersburg, Fla. after the Orioles recalled him on Wednesday, but he's still recovering from a hamstring injury and isn't available.

Joseph, 29, can play first, second and third base and has experience in left field. He also provides another left-handed bat.

The Orioles' active roster has grown to 31 players and the 40-man is full after they selected the contracts of pitcher Luis Ortiz and Joseph this week.

Ortiz is expected to pitch out of the bullpen and eventually make at least one start for the Orioles.

Manager Buck Showalter can choose between utility infielders Joseph, Jace Peterson and Breyvic Valera while Wilkerson is eased back into competition.