The Orioles won't dig deep into Triple-A Norfolk's roster when their own 25-man roster can expand on Tuesday. The Tides are making a run at the playoffs and the Orioles don't want to leave them at a competitive disadvantage, though helping the major league club remains the top priority.

They've already got one pitcher in place after summoning right-hander Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. Johnson has left the Tides and is headed to Baltimore, putting him in position to have his contract selected on Tuesday.

Johnson, who's celebrating his 28th birthday today, is 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 32 appearances with Norfolk, including three starts. He's walked 16 batters and struck out 67 over 54 2/3 innings.

In his last 10 outings, Johnson has allowed one earned run and seven hits, walked three and struck out 18 over 17 1/3 innings.

Johnson was brought along slowly this season after undergoing surgery on Sept. 24 to shave a bone spur behind his right shoulder. An MRI revealed what's known as a "Bennett lesion," which limited him to 13 appearances with Norfolk in 2014.

Johnson, a 13th-round pick of the Dodgers in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Paul's, is 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA in 21 games (five starts) with the Orioles. He went 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 12 games (four starts) as a rookie in 2012.

Johnson's last major league appearance came on Sept. 27, 2013 against the Red Sox. He's out of minor league options next season.

The Orioles have 38 players on their 40-man roster. Johnson will become the 39th unless executive vice president Dan Duquette makes a trade today.

Chaz Roe will be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday, adding another arm to the bullpen.