NEW YORK -- Having gone six weeks without pitching in a major-league game, Jason Johnson must wait another day before officially returning to the Orioles.
Last night's rainout with the New York Yankees has pushed Rodrigo Lopez into tonight's start, which had been reserved for Johnson, who will take the ball tomorrow against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camden Yards.
No makeup date for last night's game has been announced, but both teams have an opening Sept. 9, the day before the Orioles go to New York.
The Orioles must create room for Johnson on the 25-man roster. Manager Mike Hargrove said no decision has been made, but it's possible Calvin Maduro will go on the disabled list. Hargrove wouldn't comment on whether the DL was a consideration.
Maduro wasn't listed among the pitchers on yesterday's lineup card, but Sean Douglass' name appeared with the relievers. Douglass rejoined the rotation Sunday and allowed three runs -- two after he left the game -- in 5 1/3 innings. Maduro, who said he's not completely recovered from the forearm stiffness he experienced in spring training, pitched in relief Tuesday.
Johnson made two injury rehab starts after breaking his right middle finger April 25. He said the pain subsided about two weeks after the injury, but he had to regain flexibility in the hand and build arm strength. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday.
"It felt great. There was no pain at all," he said.
"I've been pretty antsy the last few weeks, especially with the team playing pretty well right now. It makes it that much more fun to play."
The mood seemed likely to take a different turn once Johnson went down, taking away the Orioles' No. 2 starter in a rotation that also began the year with Maduro and Josh Towers before losing both of them. Towers remains at Triple-A Rochester. Meanwhile, Lopez and Travis Driskill are a combined 8-1.
"It's great to see they've picked up the slack," Johnson said. "I hope it stays the same as the season goes on."
Quiet celebration
Driskill celebrated Wednesday's victory over New York, in his first visit to Yankee Stadium, in the same quiet manner expected of a pitcher who easily blends into the background.
Driskill and his wife, Natalie, stopped by the team hotel bar, while Douglass and his wife, Jennifer, served as babysitters for Driskill's two sons.
"We just went downstairs for a drink with my cousin. That's about all I did," Driskill said.
Matos optioned to Bowie
Outfielder Luis Matos has been activated from the disabled list and optioned to Double-A Bowie. Matos had been on an injury rehabilitation assignment at Single-A Frederick after surgery this spring to remove a broken hamate bone.