masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome.

I’m just relieved the roof hasn’t collapsed.

Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field.

Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field.

Manager Buck Showalter said he won’t rest any of his regulars during this…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome.

I’m just relieved the roof hasn’t collapsed.

Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field.

Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field.

Manager Buck Showalter said he won’t rest any of his regulars during this three-game series.

Showalter said he views Robert Andino as more than a utility middle infielder. Andino, who made the club out of spring training after being designated for assignment and outrighted last spring, also can back up at third base and play the outfield.

“He’s a pretty good center fielder, too,” Showalter said.

Andino had some issues playing left field in a game in Dunedin, but he can fill in if it’s an emergency.

The Orioles haven’t heard whether reliever David Riske will accept his assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Mark Hendrickson accepted his assignment to Norfolk.

“I’m going to call him today when we get through the workout,” Showalter said.

Hendrickson will be a long reliever/swingman for the Tides – it has nothing to do with his height – while the rotation will include Zach Britton, Ryan Drese, Rick VandenHurk and Chris Jakubauskas.

“It’s a good look for us down there,” Showalter said. “We have some options that we probably haven’t had much in the past, with some major league time guys.”

Showalter made sure his players knew the ground rules here, especially on balls that hit the catwalks.

“You think we haven’t done that?” Showalter said, grinning. “The simple thing is play it and let them call it. Yeah, we talked about it today. I think I totally confused them. I said, ‘Basically, just play the ball.’ “