By Mark Viera
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 7, 2008

BALTIMORE, July 6 -- Adam Loewen started shaking his left hand in the fifth inning, perhaps indicating pain, and Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley popped out from the dugout. So did pitching coach Rick Kranitz. So did Richie Bancells, the team trainer.

Loewen, a left-handed reliever, had been on the disabled list since April 25 with elbow pain. He returned to Baltimore on June 30 and on Sunday exited the game after only 23 pitches because of elbow pain. His status is unknown, but he will be undergo a CT scan Monday.

"I would expect that he's not going to pitch for a while," Trembley said.

Loewen was not available for comment after the game.

The loss of Loewen would be a blow to an already injured bullpen struggling to compensate for the loss of Matt Albers. Loewen has pitched three times, including Sunday's game, since returning. He has pitched three innings during that stretch, allowing three runs on five hits.

Loewen faced four batters before exiting Sunday, walking two and striking out one in one complete inning. Trembley said Loewen had not expressed discomfort since his return and said his rehabilitation had gone smoothly.

"Obviously, we have to get him right," Trembley said. "I think he was 100 percent, but now we have an obvious setback."

Second baseman Brian Roberts made his best case for a spot in the All-Star Game on the day when rosters were made public. Roberts, however, is not yet on the American League team.

Roberts, who finished 2 for 5 with three runs scored and a home run Sunday, is one of five AL players who can be voted into the final roster spot on the team. He will be competing in online balloting against Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, José Guillén of the Kansas City Royals, and Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays.

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