Orioles place Roberts on paternity leave

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 02, 2013, 2:46pm

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The Orioles have placed second baseman Brian Roberts on paternity leave. Roberts left the club this morning to be with his wife, Diana, for the birth of their first child in Baltimore. Roberts can remain on leave for a maximum of three days. To fill Roberts' roster spot, the Orioles have reinstated pitcher Steve Johnson from the 15-day disabled list. Johnson will serve as an extra reliever in Roberts' absence. Johnson, on the disabled list since June 6 with a strained left oblique, was 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Norfolk. He threw two shutout innings with the Gulf Coast League Orioles to start his rehab assignment and allowed two runs in six innings in two starts with short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Johnson was scheduled to continue his assignment on Saturday at Double-A Bowie. Instead, he will report to Camden Yards. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base tonight while Roberts remains at the hospital. Roberts, 35, is batting .245/.283/.357 in 30 games for the Orioles this season. Johnson, 25, is 1-1 with an 8.49 ERA in five games, including one start.