Second baseman Robert Andino said he hoped only to miss a few days with the left shoulder injury that forced him out of Sunday’s game.
Instead, the Orioles are losing another player for an extended period of time as Andino is expected to miss three or four weeks after undergoing an MRI on Monday. He will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, according to reports from Minnesota where the Orioles began a four-game series with the Twins.
Andino injured his left shoulder diving for a ground ball in the sixth inning of the Orioles’ 4-0 loss to Detroit.
Tuesday’s starter Zach Britton will take Andino’s spot on the 25-man roster as the club suffered another injury blow on the same day starting pitcher Jason Hammel underwent right knee surgery that will keep him sidelined for at least three or four weeks.
Andino is hitting .230 with five home runs and 21 runs batted in this season while serving as the primary second baseman. Though the 28-year-old lost his starting job when veteran Brian Roberts returned to action in mid-June, Andino had regained his position when Roberts was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hip injury. Roberts is contemplating having season-ending surgery.
The extended absence for Andino means the Orioles will turn to the combination of utility infielder Steve Tolleson and Rule 5 selection Ryan Flaherty to handle starting duties at second base. Tolleson was in the starting lineup on Monday night.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Minnesota that Andino will report to Sarasota in a few days to begin rehabilitation.
