masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Robert Andino is taking his physical this morning and throwing his hat into the utility ring.

With Cesar Izturis assured of making the club as the backup middle infielder, Andino will try to win a job as a reserve at the corners. He’s never played first base, and his six career starts at third base came last season.

“Just catch the ball,” he said. “That’s all it is. Just catch the ball.”

Andino didn’t do it enough last year to impress former manager Dave Trembley, and…SARASOTA, Fla. – Robert Andino is taking his physical this morning and throwing his hat into the utility ring.

With Cesar Izturis assured of making the club as the backup middle infielder, Andino will try to win a job as a reserve at the corners. He’s never played first base, and his six career starts at third base came last season.

“Just catch the ball,” he said. “That’s all it is. Just catch the ball.”

Andino didn’t do it enough last year to impress former manager Dave Trembley, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after clearing waivers. Andino appeared in 16 games with the Orioles and batted .295 with two homers.

Manager Buck Showalter likes Andino, so that doesn’t hurt his chances. But he’ll have to beat out Brendan Harris, Nick Green and possibly Jake Fox.

“It’s out of my control, to be honest with you,” Andino said. “I’m out here to work hard, and whenever I get to play, I’ll play and just let everything happen. I’m out here to have fun. I’ll work hard, of course, and put my work in and all that, but the rest is out of my control and I can’t get stressed out. I can only control what I can control – just playing hard and putting my time in and my work in. And whatever happens happens.”