Roberts still dealing with concussion-related issues
Of all the question marks surrounding the Orioles entering spring training, none looms larger than Brian Roberts.
Once one of the sure things in the organization, the talented leadoff man and second baseman is likely to miss significant time in spring training and may not join the club when it heads north.
The longest-tenured player on the roster, Roberts has been battling headaches since suffering a concussion in May 2011 while sliding head-first. It was Roberts' second concussion in less than a year.
The headaches recurred throughout his rehab process in 2011 and prevented him from participating in organized games.
In fact, Roberts missed the Orioles' winter FanFest last month after doctors told him flying and appearing before a large group may aggravate the headaches.
Without Roberts' potent bat atop the lineup, the Orioles offense is less formidable. The club has options to bat leadoff, but none provides the combination of on-base ability with extra-base pop and the potential to steal bases.
Roberts has been a doubles machine who will steal 30 bases when healthy. Nobody else on the roster offers that combination.
Robert Andino likely will remain the regular second baseman. He played there regularly in 2011 while Roberts was out and became a key figure in the clubhouse in the process. Newcomers Matt Antonelli and Ryan Flaherty may have a chance to unseat Andino, who provides a better glove but perhaps not the same offensive upside.
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