Roberts placed on paternity list; Johnson activated

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles placed Brian Roberts on the paternity list Friday, as his wife is expecting the birth of the couple's first child. Reliever Steve Johnson was activated from the 15-day disabled list and will take Roberts' place on the active roster.

Roberts was at the hospital Friday morning to be with his wife.

Ryan Flaherty was penciled into the lineup in place of Roberts, batting ninth and playing second.

Since Roberts returned from a hamstring injury, he's been the regular second baseman, and he has hit at or near the bottom of the order. He's batting .245/.283/.357 in 107 plate appearances this season, including three games at the beginning of the season before he was hurt.

Johnson was scheduled to pitch Saturday for Double-A Bowie in his recovery from a strained left oblique, but he will instead be added to the bullpen. He's been sidelined since June 6 with the injury.