Baltimore Orioles: Mark Trumbo returns to diamond

For the first time in over a year, Mark Trumbo is back in the lineup for the Baltimore Orioles.

August 19, 2018. That was the last day that the Baltimore Orioles had Mark Trumbo in the lineup. He had already started the year a month later than usual due to a strained quad muscle in Spring Training, making his season debut on May 1. He tore the cartilage in his right knee, requiring surgery in September.

Originally expected to return to the lineup sometime in April, he had numerous setbacks in his recovery. His rehab was a series of starts and stops, as he got into action at AA and AAA before pausing his recovery. He made his way back to play in the final five games of the season for the Norfolk Tides, coming out of that stretch relatively healthy.

And now, he is back. Trumbo returned to the Orioles lineup on Monday, batting sixth as their designated hitter. He immediately made his impact felt, hitting a two run double in the sixth inning, later coming around to score in the Orioles 5-4 loss in ten innings.

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While the Orioles are in obvious tank mode, they could certainly use his bat in the lineup. Even in his truncated 2018 campaign, he produced a respectable .261/.313/.452 batting line, hitting 17 homers and 12 doubles in his 358 plate appearances.

A strong final month of the season could also help Trumbo as he stares down free agency this offseason. Although he has hinted that he could retire at the end of the 2019 campaign, that is contingent on his health. If he produces over this final month of the season, and his knee holds up, then Trumbo may be willing to continue his career.

Should that be the case, Trumbo could be an intriguing low cost option in free agency. Although he has not lived up to the three year, $37.5 million contract that he signed with the Orioles, he still has plenty of pop in the bat. If his knee can hold up, Trumbo also has some defensive versatility, capable of playing first and either corner spot in the outfield.

First, Mark Trumbo needs to get through September. He has taken the first step as he has returned to the Baltimore Orioles lineup for the first time in over a year.