Just over a year ago, Kingsville native Steve Johnson told Patch about his major league aspirations.

What a difference a year makes—Johnson is being pulled into the Baltimore Orioles bullpen Monday night in Seattle, School of Roch reports.

According to reporter Roch Kubatko:

Johnson will replace left-hander Brian Matusz on the 25-man roster. Matusz was optioned after today's 6-2 loss to the Indians at Camden Yards.

Johnson, 24, is 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 games, including nine starts. He's allowed 43 hits, walked 24 and struck out 63 in 62 2/3 innings, and opponents are batting .194 against him.

The Orioles announced plans via Twitter at 4:30 p.m. on Monday:

The Orioles have recalled RHP Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. He will be making his major league debut. #Orioles

Johnson's father, Dave, pitched for the Orioles between 1989-1991 and now works as an Orioles broadcaster on MASN and WBAL radio. Steve Johnson, now 24, pitched at St. Paul's School in Baltimore and began playing for the Bowie Baysoxs, the Orioles' Double-A farm club, in 2011.

"Obviously when you are really little they put you in the game," Johnson told Patch last year. "But I was good at it. I just loved it so I kept playing and I expected them to sign me up every year. They just let me play."

"It turns out that is what I wanted to do," he added. "I played on a lot of good teams. [My parents] did not push me. It just happened. It has always been there for me and I have enjoyed it."

The Orioles play the Mariners at Safeco Field at 10:10 p.m. EST Monday.

Will you be rooting for our hometown pitcher? Tell us your take on the Orioles season in the comments.