"Injured second baseman Brian Roberts was in the Orioles clubhouse before Thursday's game, goofing around with interim manager Juan Samuel and first base coach John Shelby and making it known that he is ready to re-join his team.

"If it were my decision, I would have played Monday," Roberts said, laughing. "That's where you see how much decision-making [power] I have."

Because of a herniated disk in his back, Roberts last played for the Orioles in the club's home opener April 9. He is in the midst of a rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Bowie, where he has six hits in 14 at-bats over three games.

He was given the day off Thursday and originally was expected to return to Bowie for two more games, but it now appears the Orioles might be leaning toward activating him from the disabled list Friday.

"Yes, he's anxious to come off and join the club," Samuel said. "He is swinging the bat very well. Like he stated, he's ready to go. We just have to make that spot available for him."

The holdup is as much about whom the Orioles take off their roster as whether Roberts is physically ready to join the club. He said he has done everything but slide headfirst into a base or make a diving play at second, but he believes he could if needed. He has also played a day game after a night game without any adverse effect.

"There's nothing I don't think I can do at this point. Sure, there are things I haven't done necessarily, but that's not necessarily all that [important]," he said. "Sometimes in spring training, I don't dive headfirst before I leave camp. I don't foresee it being an issue."

There has been some hesitation on Samuel's part to have Roberts play his first few games on the turf at Toronto's Rogers Centre, where the Orioles will be from Monday to Wednesday. But Roberts said he's not worried about that either."