New dad Jacob Webb rejoins Orioles; Vespi returns to Norfolk

BALTIMORE—Relief pitcher Jacob Webb returned from a rush trip to Marietta, Georgia so he could be with his wife, Magali, who gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter, Hudson.

Webb was looking forward to his first Opening Day as a major leaguer, but he was placed on the paternity list and replaced by left-hander Nick Vespi, who was returned to Triple-A Norfolk.

“This news was pretty exciting,” Webb said. “It was definitely a little bit early, but very exciting.”

Webb got the news the birth was imminent on Wednesday night about 7 p.m., and his wife needed an emergency Cesarean section at 8:05. He couldn’t fly home until early Thursday.

“I wasn’t able to be there, but it was still awesome just to be able to hold her,” Webb said. “It was pretty crazy.”

Hudson is 19 ½ inches long and 6 pounds, 15 ounces.

“Nothing can really prepare you for any of that kind of stuff,” Webb said. “When it happens, you know that’s how it goes.”

Webb is sleep-deprived, but he’s fine with that.

“Even the night before, I was pacing around the room waiting for the flight to happen,” Webb said. “Once I got there, I was helping her as much as I possibly could.”