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Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (pictured) was on his way to his second strong performance in a row when he grabbed at his side and exited Sunday's game with a right oblique strain. That's very bad news for a team that already has called on four Triple-A starters to fill in the fifth slot in the rotation and replace injured Miguel Gonzalez. It was a tough week already, after so-so outings by Jason Hammel, Freddy Garcia and Steve Johnson, and that was reflected in the combined numbers. The rotation posted a 2-2 record with a 6.03 ERA and averaged just five innings per start. Even though the team managed to go 4-2 in those games, this is starting to get scary.
Grade: D (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images /May 12, 2013)
The news that Brian Roberts was headed to Double-A Bowie to begin a 20-day injury rehab assignment added some urgency to the questions about the impact of his eventual return to the active major league roster.
Roberts isn't looking that far ahead. He still needs to prove to himself that he's ready to play baseball on a regular basis -- which is what the rehab assignment is all about.
Robert Andino, who moved into the starting job at second base and emerged as a legitimate everyday player, said he isn't worried about the possibility of being displaced by a guy who was one of the top leadoff hitters in baseball when he was forced into a year in personal and professional limbo by the effects of a pair of concussions.
"I know when Brian gets back, he’s just going to make this team much better, so I ain’t worried about it,’’ Andino said Tuesday. “I’m here to win, so whatever my role is when he comes back, I’m all for it.”
To Andino, who has worked hard to master the position, it's just a matter of paying manager Buck Showalter back for the opportunity to establish himself as a major league regular. He said he's comfortable with whatever role helps the Orioles build on their surprising success this season.
“It’s just knowing that Buck has trust in me,’’ he said. “That means a lot to me. I take that personally, and I go out there and try not to let nobody down. ... Of course, he’s the one that gave me the chance. He put his trust in me and let me go out there and play, so whatever I have to do, I’m here for the team.”
