Brian Roberts injury: O's 2B unlikely to return when eligible

When asked if second baseman Brian Roberts would be ready to return from the disabled list when he's eligible to be activated on April 20, Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters -- including Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun -- that "it's going to be a challenge for him."

Roberts is currently recovering from a right hamstring strain which he sustained April 4 during the opening series of the 2013 season. He was attempting to steal a base but instead suffered the strain, and he ultimately had to be carried off the field.

Greinke breaks collarbone

Thursday's brawl ended with a significant injury to the Dodgers' ace.

At this point, Roberts is walking without a limp, but he's yet to be cleared to resume baseball activities. He can be activated from the DL next Saturday, but Showalter thinks that will be a stretch. It's not yet clear if he'll require a short minor league rehab assignment, or if he'll simply be able to return and rejoin the major league lineup.

Prior to sustaining the hamstring injury, Roberts opened the season 5-for-12 with a double and stolen base. Entering the 2013 campaign, Roberts had been limited by injuries to 115 games from 2010-12.

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