Baseball’s 2016 home run champion has finally returned to the lineup for the struggling Orioles.
Sidelined with a right quad strain since spring training, Mark Trumbo was activated from the 10-day disabled list for the start of a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. The Orioles also recalled infielder Engelb Vielma from Triple-A Norfolk and placed infielder Luis Sardinas on the DL with a lower back strain. Outfielder Joey Rickard was optioned to Norfolk after Sunday’s win over Detroit to make roster space for the returning Trumbo.
The last-place Orioles hope Trumbo can provide a spark to an offense ranking 28th in the majors in runs scored per game (3.5) and tied for eighth in the American League in long balls (32). The 32-year-old was batting sixth and serving as the designated hitter for the series opener against the Angels while the hot-hitting Pedro Alvarez was making his second straight start at third base.
Trumbo went a combined 5-for-24 with a double, three runs batted in, two walks, and five strikeouts in a six-game rehab assignment split between Norfolk and Double-A Bowie.
The Anaheim native is coming off a down 2017 campaign in which he batted just .234 with 23 homers and a career-worst .686 on-base plus slugging percentage. Trumbo is in the second season of a three-year, $37.5 million contract signed after his 2016 All-Star campaign in which he batted .256 with 47 homers, 108 RBIs, and an .850 OPS, all career highs.
