masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhile I was driving back from Fort Myers, the Orioles announced that pitcher Steve Johnson has been returned to the organization by the San Francisco Giants.

Johnson has been assigned to Double-A Bowie and will report to the minor league camp.

The Giants selected Johnson in the Rule 5 draft in December, costing them $50,000 in the process. The Orioles pay half that amount to reclaim him.

Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, allowed three runs and…While I was driving back from Fort Myers, the Orioles announced that pitcher Steve Johnson has been returned to the organization by the San Francisco Giants.

Johnson has been assigned to Double-A Bowie and will report to the minor league camp.

The Giants selected Johnson in the Rule 5 draft in December, costing them $50,000 in the process. The Orioles pay half that amount to reclaim him.

Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, allowed three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked six, struck out two and hit a batter.

“I was a little surprised,” Steve Johnson said. “I understood the situation. After they drafted me, they signed a couple guys and that kind of cut my chances down a little bit. But I understood. I wasn’t pitching that great and others in the organization were pitching well. I guess it wasn’t too much of a surprise, the fact that the Orioles want me back. And they probably want me to get some innings that I wouldn’t get here, and I can get back in a starting role.

“I had fun while I was here. It’s not too bad.”

All three runs off Johnson came in his final inning on Saturday.

“The numbers didn’t show it, but I came out feeling like I did some good things,” he said. “I threw 3-2 changeups, and some good ones. I got a chance to hang with guys like (Tim) Lincecum, (Barry) Zito, (Matt) Cain and talk to them and learn what they did when they first came up. And I got some good innings against major league guys.

“The numbers don’t show it, but I didn’t think I did too bad. I was a little rusty and walked some guys, but it was a good experience and I learned from it and found out what it’s like to be up here.

“I’m glad to be back. I don’t know where they’ll have me, but I’ll fight for a spot.”