Showalter talks about Andino and Strop (game update)

BOSTON - Robert Andino is undergoing another concussion test today, and manager Buck Showalter is optimistic that the second baseman will be back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Andino's CT scan came back negative. "They were checking for any bleeding," Showalter said. "It got him in the ear flap and in the neck some. He had a pretty good welt there. He's not happy today about not playing, but as soon as he passes the concussion test ... I'm hoping we get good results from that and he's back in the lineup tomorrow." Andino also took a concussion test last night, but a second one was deemed necessary. "Let's put it this way, I don't think Robert was in the mood to give it the attention that it properly needed last night," Showalter said. Showalter said left-hander Zach Britton is a candidate to start one game of Monday's doubleheader, with Wei-Yin Chen starting the other one. Showalter also mentioned Steve Johnson as a possibility. Joe Saunders could start Tuesday, with Miguel Gonzalez taking the mound on Wednesday on regular rest. Showalter said he could have used Pedro Strop last night if needed, but he preferred to rest the reliever before making him available today. "He was a little - I heard an old pitching coach describe it as 'a little crispy' - but he's ready to go today," Showalter said. "He needed a day. A lot of people forget this guy's got a screw in his elbow. We've been very careful with managing his innings and trying to be careful with his ups. "A lot of these guys, it's the first time they've been through this type of season, that type of stressful innings, but he's fine. He could have pitched last night." Strop has posted a 7.36 ERA in his last 15 games. He hasn't blamed fatigue for the command issues. "The ball's coming out of his hand good," Showalter said. "He's going through a little spell where some things aren't going his way. He's had a couple flares fall in and a couple 3-2 borderline walks. He's a guy that we have a long memory with. We'll continue to run our best options out there. We still think he's one of them. "He's very competitive. He loves contributing to our team. Sometimes, you can want it too much. I'm not going to try to back that off. He's had a couple good outings, too. He's gotten some big outs. He just hasn't been able to have as many clean innings as he had in the past." Update: The Orioles have taken leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first two innings. They manufactured a run in the first on Nate McLouth's walk and stolen base, and ground balls by J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones. Boston tied the game in the bottom of the first on Dustin Pedroia's double and Ryan Lavarnway's two-out bloop single near the right field line. The Orioles moved ahead again in the second on Chris Davis' one-out single, pitcher Aaron Cook's errant pickoff throw and Manny Machado's single into center field. Credit third base coach DeMarlo Hale for another aggressive send, and for recognizing that Red Sox center fielder Scott Podsednik wasn't bringing much in the way of an arm. The Orioles have worked Cook for 33 pitches in two innings. The Blue Jays announced their starters for the series at Camden Yards that begins Monday. Monday (DH): Henderson Alvarez and Ricky Romero Tuesday: Aaron Laffey Wednesday: Carlos Villanueva