WASHINGTON -- The Orioles announced Wednesday that infielder Corban Joseph was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Andrew Cashner's return from the disabled list. Cashner started against the Nationals on Wednesday after missing one start with a lower back strain. He tossed four scoreless frames in the 3-0 Orioles win before a two-hour, 43-minute rain delay cut short his start.
"Had to make room for a starting pitcher today, and Corban presented himself well," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Let him continue what's been a really good season for him down there [with Double-A Bowie]. I had some guys here who were a little more versatile."
Joseph's callup last Friday made headlines once he was joined by his brother, catcher Caleb Joseph, on the 25-man roster for Tuesday's loss against the Nationals. Both played in the loss, batting back-to-back in the sixth inning when Corban pinch-hit in the pitcher spot. Corban notched his first career RBI during that at-bat, grounding into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and plating Danny Valencia to give the O's a 6-5 lead. The play resulted in Caleb being thrown out at second.
Corban hopes to return to the team if called upon, and both brothers were hopeful to remain on the team by the time the Orioles head to Atlanta this weekend, as they have family throughout the South.
"That's where there could be half a stadium filled with orange and black jerseys with 'Joseph' on the back," Caleb said Tuesday. "We've got quite a few family members who live in that Southern region. It is exciting here. [I'm] not wishing it to go away, but really looking forward to Atlanta, too."
Corban was 1-for-9 with two strikeouts and a walk in his four-game Major League stint with Baltimore.
Worth noting
• First baseman Chris Davis' return to the lineup is expected in the next couple of days. Davis hasn't played since June 11.
• The Orioles must make a decision on Colby Rasmus, who played his final rehab game on Wednesday. The team has 48 hours to decide whether to add him to the roster or designate him for assignment.
• Darren O'Day was available to pitch on Wednesday after dealing with some hamstring soreness the previous four days.
• The Orioles signed two more players from the 2018 MLB Draft: INF Trevor Putzig (17th round) and INF John Ham (31st round). They have signed 23 selections so far.