Welcome to the big leagues

Jay Buente made his Major League debut on Thursday night, and Marlins veteran Jorge Cantu did his part in trying to ease the rookie into action.

Wearing a microphone for Fox Sports Florida, Cantu had a brief chat with Buente before he threw his first big league pitch to open the fifth inning. Buente, called up from Triple-A New Orleans earlier in the day, relieved Ricky Nolasco after a 77-minute rain delay.

Buente’s conversation with Cantu aired on TV, offering a light-hearted inside-the-game moment for the audience.

The exchange was:

Cantu: “This your first time in the big leagues?”

Buente: “Yeah.”

Cantu: “First time?”

Buente: “Yeah.”

Cantu: “First appearance?”

Buente: “Yes, sir.”

Cantu: “Are you psyched?”

Buente: “Yeah.”

Cantu: “Are you nervous?”

Buente: “No.”

Cantu: “You better not be nervous.”

Buente: “No, not nervous.”

Cantu: “Hey, congratulations.”

Buente: “Thank you.”

Cantu: “All right, let’s go.”

Buente: “Thanks.”

The first batter Buente faced? Chipper Jones.

Buente retired the veteran on a groundout to first base.

– Joe Frisaro

(photo by Robert Vigon/Florida Marlins)