Pre-game notes (w/Norfolk update)

Brian Roberts is here and waiting to be activated. The Orioles haven't decided whether to put him on the 25-man roster tomorrow or wait until the Kansas City series next week. Toronto remains a possibility, but Roberts would be eased back into the lineup because of...you guessed it...the artificial surface. The club would rather avoid it. "B-Rob offered to write the lineup down today," interim manager Juan Samuel said, "but I was afraid he would write his name down." Scott Moore is a prime candidate to come off the roster once Roberts is activated. Julio Lugo is viewed as the only backup shortstop - I asked again to make sure - so his spot is safe. Miguel Tejada isn't moving to shortstop. Still no discussions about using him as the backup. According to Samuel, Tejada hasn't taken a ground ball at short in spring training or during the season. He's the third baseman and nothing else (except occasional DH, which he would rather avoid.) The pending roster move won't come from the bullpen. Felix Pie is batting leadoff again tonight, but Samuel believes the left fielder is more comfortable hitting lower in the order - another reason he's eager to have Roberts back in the lineup. Once Matt Wieters is activated on Sunday, the Orioles will have to decide whether to remove Craig Tatum or Jake Fox. The club doesn't have the luxury of carrying three catchers, according to Samuel. Fox is more versatile. The Orioles like the job Tatum has done as the backup. Tough call. Tatum has an option left. That's worth noting. No home run today for Michael Aubrey down at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a 7-6 win over Syracuse. Nolan Reimold was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Matt Angle went 2-for-5 with a run. Josh Bell, back with the Tides, went 1-for-3 with two walks. Not a good day for lefty Zach Britton, though his defense shares the blame. He's charged with two earned runs (four total) and six hits in four innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. Robert Andino (21st) and Rhyne Hughes (seventh) committed errors. Dennis Sarfate gets the win with 1 1/3 perfect innings. He struck out three.