The Orioles announced today that pitcher Steve Johnson, who was claimed from the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft, has been returned to the O's by the San Francisco Giants.
The Giants had to pay the O's $50,000 when they drafted Johnson, who is the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN baseball analyst Dave Johnson, a draft fee of $50,000. Since the Giants were not willing to keep him on the major league roster all season, they were required to waive him and then offer him back to the O's for half the draft price. The Orioles, of course, were more than happy to take him back.
Johnson will be assigned to the Double-A Bowie Baysox roster and will report to minor league camp in Sarasota.