Christian Franklin heard his name announced over the public address system at Camden Yards, followed by a loud ovation. He stepped out of the box, maybe a little confused but also wanting to absorb the moment.

Total silence couldn’t ruin it, but he got the opposite reception.

Franklin, 26, made his major league debut last night in a 3-1 win over the low-flying Angels. He walked in his first plate appearance and scored on Pete Alonso’s two-run single, and he reached on a fielder’s choice and stole a base in the seventh inning.

“I was really impressed with Frankie,” manager Craig Albernaz said afterward. “The way he navigated the at-bats, it wasn’t too big for him. He was under control.”

“I was just happy to be able to contribute,” he said at his locker. “I’m grateful to be here. Definitely excited when I first got out on the field, but once you get out there, it’s just baseball at the end of the day. So it was awesome, same game, different stage. The fans coming out was cool, the stadium was awesome, and the team’s great.”

Franklin switched clubs on Monday. The Orioles sent Double-A pitcher Joe Glassey to the Nationals, acquired Franklin and moved him up from Triple-A Rochester to the majors.

“It was definitely unexpected, just the way it happened super close to the deadline,” he said. “But I mean, it’s a blessing. So I’m just grateful that the organization gave me a shot, and just grateful to be on this team and be fighting for something at the end of the season. It’s awesome to be playing for something, rather than just playing for yourself or development in the minor leagues.”

The Cubs drafted Franklin in the fourth round in 2021 out of the University of Arkansas, where he played with Orioles 2020 first-rounder Heston Kjerstad. They traded him to the Nationals at the 2025 deadline for pitcher Michael Soroka.

Franklin registered a .375 on-base percentage this year in 93 games with Rochester, leaving his five-year minor league mark at .389. And he finally reached his ultimate goal with his promotion and last night’s start.

“It was definitely a long road,” he said. “Getting hurt, tearing my patella tendon in ’22 and not playing the whole year. Just going up slowly and slowly, but just trying to stay faithful to God and just have a belief in myself. And I knew that it would happen eventually. I’m just grateful that it happened when it did.”

Franklin’s contributions in his debut included a running catch at the wall in the seventh inning after Rico Garcia put two runners on base. Garcia crouched on the mound, the same pose he struck a few times previously when surrendering crucial home runs, but Franklin secured the ball.

“He did a great job in left field,” Albernaz said. “Our left field is not easy to play, especially first game in the big leagues, and he did a great job, especially that catch against the wall, and the stolen base, great jump. There’s a lot of things to like about Christian, and the clubhouse is really excited for him and making his debut and the impact that he made.”

Franklin could stay in the lineup tonight, another chance to fill in for Taylor Ward after the Orioles sent the veteran outfielder to the Mariners. The ovation for his first at-bat won’t match last night’s reception, but it’s still ringing in his ears.

“Super cool,” he said. “I think that was one of the things that caught me off guard, honestly, was just how welcoming everybody was, and it’s awesome just seeing that and how well umpires, the people on the other team, treat new guys and welcome you into the MLB community. So it’s been nothing but love.

“I’m extremely just grateful and in awe of the companionship and just friendship in MLB baseball.”

*The Orioles are 1 ½ games behind for the last Wild Card, tying them with the Tigers and leaving three teams ahead of them. They’ve got Alex Hoppe in the bullpen after acquiring him from the Mariners in the Ward trade. Anthony Nunez was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room on the roster.

Hoppe is wearing No. 26.

Trevor Rogers survived the trade deadline and is on the mound tonight. He posted a 10.31 ERA in four May starts, a 2.05 ERA in five June starts, and a 2.37 ERA in five July starts.

Rogers has made one career start against the Angels, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Travis d’Arnaud is 7-for-15 with five doubles and a home run against Rogers.

The Orioles improved to 22-8 against the Angels since the start of 2022, including 12-3 in Baltimore.

Angels left-hander Reid Detmers has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.096 WHIP in 22 starts. He’s struck out 145 in 125 innings. In his last three starts, Detmers has allowed three runs in 16 1/3 innings with three walks and 22 strikeouts.

Detmers has faced the Orioles six times in his career and registered a 2.35 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. Gunnar Henderson is 3-for-8 with a double and triple. Leody Taveras is 2-for-16 with a home run.

The Orioles are 14-20 when the opponent starts a lefty.

*Left-hander Boston Bateman made a short start today with High-A Frederick as part of his planned progression. He tossed two scoreless innings with no hits, one walk and six strikeouts.

Bateman left a previous start with left triceps tightness and his most recent one before today with right hip flexor discomfort.

MLB Pipeline ranks Bateman as the organization’s No. 10 prospect. He fell four spots after the trade deadline.

  • *Double-A Chesapeake left-hander Luis De León was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for July. De León made four starts and posted a 0.73 ERA with two runs in 24 2/3 innings. He allowed 13 hits, walked seven, struck out 28 and held opponents to a .148 average.

MLB Pipeline ranks De León, who was promoted to Norfolk, as the organization’s No. 11 prospect.