The Orioles' roster for Friday's Wild Card game against the Rangers includes 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman are not on the roster, but Steve Johnson is. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was considering him for the start, so he could be an alternative if Joe Saunders gets into some early trouble.

Steve Johnson (knee) threw a light bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon without incident. Johnson made 10-15 throws without experiencing any discomfort in his troublesome left knee. He told reporters that he should be ready to pitch in the postseason.

An MRI of Steve Johnson's left knee revealed no structural damage. Johnson won't return for the Orioles' final three games. His health will likely determine if he's added to the postseason roster.

Steve Johnson will undergo an MRI on his left knee Monday. Even if the exam comes back clean, Johnson seems unlikely to be used during the final three games. He's pitched well enough to make the postseason roster, but it could depend on his health.

Steve Johnson is dealing with a left knee injury. Johnson hurt himself when he twisted his knee while being hit by a comebacker in Saturday's start. It doesn't sound like a big concern at this point. "They made me aware of it," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of team's trainers. "We will wait 'til we gather. [Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells] has multiple people, and we'll have that conversation after we get done here. When he gathers all the information. I'm not sure I would be that forthcoming with all that information."

Steve Johnson pitched decently in a spot start against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on only four hits over five-plus innings in a no-decision. Johnson issued three walks and struck out three. He cruised through the first four innings unscathed before Jarrod Saltalamacchia launched a two-run homer in the fifth. Cody Ross then added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Johnson has pitched well in limited opportunities this season, compiling a 4-0 record, 2.11 ERA and 46/18 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings.

Steve Johnson shut out the Blue Jays for five innings Monday to move to 4-0 for the Orioles. OK, so he was facing a lineup with Adam Lind batting fourth and Rajai Davis hitting fifth. It was still another nice outing for Johnson, who has struck out 22 batters in 17 innings while winning all three of his starts this season. He has a 1.62 ERA in 11 appearances overall.

Steve Johnson will start one of the games of Monday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. Wei-Yin Chen will get the ball in the other game, with Joe Saunders drawing the start Tuesday and Miguel Gonzalez Wednesday. Johnson has been terrific in long relief and in a couple spot starts this year for the O's, posting a 1.91 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings.

Steve Johnson might not start Saturday in Detroit after throwing two relief innings in Thursday's game. "There's still that potential he can pitch there," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He hadn't pitched in seven days. We didn't want to pitch anyone else. We were down to our last guy. I was trying to stay away from Steve if I could." It's not clear who will make the start if the O's decide not to go with Johnson.

Steve Johnson is listed as the probable starter for Saturday against the Tigers. Johnson was optioned to the minors last week following the promotion of Manny Machado, but he was added back to the active roster this week after Troy Patton (ankle) was placed on the disabled list. The 25-year-old right-hander was impressive in his first major league start on August 8, allowing two runs over six innings against the Mariners, but we need to see more before trusting him in fantasy leagues.