Joseph soaks in first start, ready for Camden Yards

ST. PETERSBURG -- Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph was buried in text messages following Wednesday's Major League debut, as he got about 130 well-wishes and has tried his best to respond to each one individually.

Joseph, who made his second start behind the plate on Thursday, had a pretty good cheering section on hand in his debut despite the short notice. His wife flew stand-by to make it around the fifth inning and he had a couple family friends, college roommates along with his cousin, uncle and childhood mentor all in attendance. Even so, the 28-year-old said he wasn't nervous on the field with the whirlwind last few days actually more nerve-wracking than catching. That will change when he arrives in Baltimore on Friday.

"I think that's when it will hit me," Joseph said of playing at Camden Yards. "When I walk into that clubhouse. That dugout. I've been to games there, sat in the stands on my off-day [in the Minor Leagues]."

Joseph, a right-handed hitter, has gotten the call against both of Tampa Bay's left-handed starters but with Houston slated to throw three righties it's unclear when Joseph will make his first home start. But he's already made a good experience on manager Buck Showalter.

"You think about so many people. Just one night. But a big night for him. For us," Showalter said. "You think about referee'ing or umpiring the greatest accolade is when you don't know notice somebody. I didn't really notice Caleb that much. The last inning got a little fast. I thought [bench coach] John Russell did a nice job of slowing down the game for him."