Roberts to begin rehab with Single-A Aberdeen tonight

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will begin an injury-rehab assignment tonight in Aberdeen -- Baltimore's short season Single-A affiliate -- as first reported by MASNsports.com. Roberts has been on the disabled list since July 3 with a labral tear in his right hip, and has been trying to avoid season-ending surgery.

Roberts missed time earlier in the year with concussion symptoms, but hit only .182 in his 17 games with the club before injuring his hip. He hasn't played in a game since July 1.

He is expected to start at second base tonight for the IronBirds, but it's unclear whether or not he is ready to play in an entire game yet. If Roberts' rehab stint doesn't go according to plan, he is facing surgery that generally carries a 4-6 week recovery time, effectively ending his season.

A's Lineup:

Crisp CF

Weeks 2B

Smith RF

Cespedes LF

Carter DH

Moss 1B

Inge 3B

Suzuki C

Sogard 3B

Colon SP