Due to Brian Roberts' concussion issues, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun thinks Robert Andino "has to be penciled in as the starting second baseman" for the Orioles next season. It's true that if the O's go with an in-house candidate, Andino will likely get the call. But, the odds might be greater that either Roberts will come back healthy and regain his job or the team will seek help outside the organization. Connolly is right, though, in saying that Baltimore "should go forward with offseason plans as if Roberts will not be available - and treat it as a pleasant dilemma if he can play." Andino is considered a good defensive player, but the career .245/.302/.331 hitter is probably best served in a utility role.

Robert Andino deep sixed the Red Sox for the second time in three games Wednesday, this time ending their season with a two-out, walkoff single in Baltimore's 4-3, come-from-behind victory. A 27-year-old career .245 hitter, it's unlikely Andino will ever be able to top this. He should be back on Baltimore's bench in 2012.

Robert Andino hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run in Monday's win over the Red Sox. Andino crushed a ball to deep center that popped out of Jacoby Ellsbury's glove. The relay throw then air-mailed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, giving Andino his fifth home run of the season. Andino's had himself a nice little season, batting .266/.331/.349 in 500 plate appearances. That's probably too much many plate appearances for a player of his talent, but he's by no means hurt the Orioles.

Robert Andino went 3-for-5 with a run and three RBI against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Andino had two hits in his first four at-bats before powering a two-out, three-run double in the eighth inning. That hit turned out to be the game-winner for the O's, as they downed Boston 7-5. Andino is finishing the season strong, hitting safely in 15 of his past 17 games. He also added his second stolen base in two nights.

Robert Andino delivered a game-tying single in the eighth and a game-winning single in the 10th as the Orioles edged the Yankees 5-4 on Thursday. Andino had himself quite a series, going 8-for-20 with a homer and four RBI. Thrust into the most substantial role of his career by Brian Roberts' concussion, Andino has hit .264/.328/.337 in 383 at-bats this season. That's not stellar by any means, but it's good enough that he should enter next spring pretty much assured of a roster spot for the first time since he debuted with the Marlins in 2005.