Robert Andino

Second baseman Robert Andino, who was hit in the head by a pitch Friday night, was back in the lineup after passing his final concussion test and getting clearance from the Oriolesmedical staff. He said yesterday that he felt fine and that there would be no emotional carryover into Sunday's series finale. Even if one of the Boston pitchers buzzes one close to him? “I'm not going to do nothing stupid," Andino said. “I can't get suspended or anything like that.” Manager Buck Showalter said before the game that he might reinforce that concept with Andino and the team with the Orioles just 11 days from the end of the regular season and positioned pretty well for at least a wild card berth.

SEATTLE - Playing against the Orioles has to be viewed as just another game, Seattle Mariners infielder Robert Andino said before the teams' three-game series at Safeco Field kicked off. And then, Monday night, Andino went out and played a key role in beating his old team - hitting an RBI single to give the Mariners a lead they never lost and handling nine balls for outs while starting at second base in Seattle's 6-2 victory. Make no mistake: Andino, whom the Orioles traded to the Mariners this offseason for minor league outfielder Trayvon Robinson, wanted to remind his former organization what it gave up. But you'll never hear him say that.

There was a baseball game played on Wednesday night. And if not for the death of Mike Flanagan, Orioles fans would be talking at the water cooler about Robert Andino's barehanded catch against the Twins. Here's the video.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Trayvon Robinson suited up for the first time as an Oriole on Saturday and took part in the first official full-squad workout, but the outfielder had hoped to be in camp a lot earlier after being acquired in the November deal that sent infielder Robert Andino to the Seattle Mariners. Instead, he had to clear waivers after the Orioles outrighted him last week to make room for pitcher Todd Redmond , a move that had to leave him wondering just where he might fit with a team that has a dozen outfielders in major league camp.

Judging from the reaction on Twitter to the Orioles' trade of Robert Andino to the Mariners on Tuesday, many O's fans have a heavy heart over the infielder's departure. Andino will be forever etched in Baltimore baseball lore for getting the game-winning hit in the Orioles' Game 162 win in 2011 over the Red Sox. The game was later nicknamed the “Curse of the Andino” since it played a huge part in Boston missing the postseason. Many fans point to that game as a tonesetter to the team's success this past season.

Orioles second baseman Robert Andino, currently on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain, appears far ahead of schedule in his recovery and could rejoin the team when he is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday. Andino will begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday and play games for the Tides on Sunday and Monday, the club announced before Friday's game. He could join the club for their game Tuesday in New York against the Yankees. That's a switch from what the Orioles had planned hours before Friday's game.

Once the Orioles claimed second baseman Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins earlier this month, it appeared that Robert Andino's days in an Orioles uniform were numbered. Instead of facing the decision of whether to non-tender Andino by the Nov. 30, the Orioles dealt the veteran infielder to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Trayvon Robinson. The 25-year-old Robinson adds to the Orioles' outfield depth, and he will likely compete for a fourth outfielder spot this spring.

Orioles second baseman Robert Andino, is slated to be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's game. He said he played in his two minor league rehab games without pain in his left shoulder. “Did a little bit of sliding and everything, swinging hard, ground balls,” Andino said. “No pain, so we'll see how it goes.” Andino said he would test his shoulder in batting practice before Tuesday night's game against the Yankees. Barring a setback, he could return to the starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon's series finale in the Bronx.

SEATTLE - Playing against the Orioles has to be viewed as just another game, Seattle Mariners infielder Robert Andino said before the teams' three-game series at Safeco Field kicked off. And then, Monday night, Andino went out and played a key role in beating his old team - hitting an RBI single to give the Mariners a lead they never lost and handling nine balls for outs while starting at second base in Seattle's 6-2 victory. Make no mistake: Andino, whom the Orioles traded to the Mariners this offseason for minor league outfielder Trayvon Robinson, wanted to remind his former organization what it gave up. But you'll never hear him say that.

Avg: Vladimir Guerrero .290 HR: Mark Reynolds 37 RBI: Mark Reynolds 86 SB: Robert Andino 13 Wins: Zach Britton 11 Saves: Kevin Gregg 22 ERA: Jeremy Guthrie 4.33 Strikeouts: Jeremy Guthrie 130

Trayvon Robinson was on the other side of the Orioles' greatest example of resilience last season. Then an outfielder for the Mariners, he entered Seattle's game against the Orioles on Sept. 18 in the ninth inning. He went on to play another nine innings that night at Safeco Field in a 4-2 Orioles win in 18 innings, the longest of the O's 16 straight extra-inning wins that characterized the team's never-say-die attitude. “I had a couple nightmares about that game,” Robinson said Saturday at FanFest.

Trayvon Robinson, the 25-year-old outfielder the Orioles received in Tuesday's trade with the Seattle Mariners for infielder Robert Andino, is an intriguing player, though the reality is he may never become a big league regular. The Orioles view him as someone who can battle for the fourth spot in the outfield in 2013. Robinson was called a “veritable toolshed” by Baseball America a few years ago as he was climbing up the ranks in the Los Angeles Dodgers system because of his speed-power-defense potential.

Once the Orioles claimed second baseman Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins earlier this month, it appeared that Robert Andino's days in an Orioles uniform were numbered. Instead of facing the decision of whether to non-tender Andino by the Nov. 30, the Orioles dealt the veteran infielder to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Trayvon Robinson. The 25-year-old Robinson adds to the Orioles' outfield depth, and he will likely compete for a fourth outfielder spot this spring.

Although they weren't splashy moves when made, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette's savviness in scooping up discarded players paid huge dividends during the team's best season in 15 years. For every Nate McLouth, who made the most of his opportunity with a new club, there was a Dontrelle Willis, who didn't pan out with the Orioles. But there's no double that Duquette's aggressiveness in acquiring undervalued commodities was a significant factor in the Orioles' success in 2012.

We've had a lot of questions since the season ended on who will be back next year with the Orioles. We don't have a crystal ball. But I can at least give you a sense - contractually, anyway - where guys are. I may be leaving a few out, but we'll address everyone you are concerned about. Here are the club's unrestricted free agents, meaning they become free agents as soon as the World Series ends and can begin negotiating with teams besides the Orioles on the sixth day after the World Series ends (in between they can only negotiate with the Orioles)

The Orioles hadn't had a celebration like this since 1997. And they made the most of it. Some scenes from the Orioles' raucous champagne-spilling party in the visitors' clubhouse at Rangers Ballpark. Wei-Yin Chen grabbing Friday's hero, Joe Saunders, by the neck and just holding onto him for at least 20 seconds. Robert Andino dancing to a rap song in the middle of a huddle of players. Tommy Hunter dancing terribly after Andino, laughing all the way. Nick Markakis opening champagne bottles with his good hand - with his left hand covered in a plastic baggy -- spraying the bubbly on anyone and everyone.

Matt Wieters is getting the night off behind the plate. It's Teagarden Time. Endy Chavez gets a start - as does Robert Andino, who was on the bench for most of the first game as Ryan Flaherty started at second base (and homered). Here are the lineups for Game 2 of the doublehearer: Orioles: McLouth 7, Hardy 6, Jones 8, Davis DH, Reynolds 3, Machado 5, Chavez 9, Andino 4, Teagarden 2. Chen 1. Blue Jays: Lawrie 5, Davis 7, Encarnacion DH, Escobar 6, Gomes 3, Sierra 9, Vizquel 4, Arencibia 2, Gose 8. Romero 1.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com says the issue of playing time for Robert Andino will resolve itself after the Orioles finish their current run of games against National League teams: “(Brian) Roberts was activated from the 60-day disabled list last Tuesday after missing nearly 13 months with the effects of concussions. He retook the second-base job, pushing Robert Andino - who had started 56 games at the position - to a utility role. “Once the DH resumes for Baltimore, Andino will probably start five days a week, with significant time at third base, where he is the best fielder on the roster, as well as through spelling shortstop J.J. Hardy and Roberts.” * * * USA Today's Team Report credits the resurgence in pitching, particularly quality starts , for the success the Orioles are enjoying lately: “Series win by series win, the Orioles are shedding doubters.

So many times we have seen a late-season game between the Orioles and the Boston Red Soxend in a bloodbath. The sides couldn't be more flipped this year. On the one-year anniversary of Boston falling out of playoff contention thanks to Robert Andino and company, the playoff-chasing Orioles hammered Boston, 9-1. They outhit them 12-1. The Red Sox, for once, were the team that looked like it was counting down the days. At least one New Englander showed up. Ryan Flaherty, the Maine native who grew up a Red Sox fan, had a career night.