Trumbo deal is official

The Orioles filled a potential power void in their lineup by bringing back the major league leader in home runs from last season.

The solution was right under their noses.

Mark Trumbo has passed his physical and signed his new contract, which guarantees him $37.5 million over three seasons. His spin through free agency brought him back to Baltimore.

Trumbo batted .256/.316/.533 with 27 doubles, a triple, 47 home runs and 108 RBIs last season in 159 games, earning his second All-Star berth and first Silver Slugger Award. He turned 31 on Monday.

The Orioles led the majors with 253 home runs last season, but faced the possibility of losing Trumbo, Matt Wieters and Pedro Alvarez to free agency - a trio that accounted for 86. Wieters and Alvarez remain on the market, but Trumbo again will be slotted in the middle of the order.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired Trumbo from the Mariners on Dec. 2, 2015 for backup catcher Steve Clevenger, who's currently a free agent. It turned into one of the more lopsided trades in franchise history, with Clevenger appearing in only 22 games and batting .221/.303/.309.

"We are happy that we were able to bring Mark Trumbo back to the Orioles," Duquette said in a statement. "We like his presence in our lineup and professional work ethic along with the elite power he brings to our ballpark."

The draft pick attached to Trumbo impacted his market over the winter and tugged at the Orioles, who considered taking it and finding a shorter-term solution. They stayed in contact with agent Scott Boras, who represents Alvarez, and also touted rookie Trey Mancini as capable of serving as their primary designated hitter.

Mancini will find it more difficult to break camp with the team, but he could work in a reserve role and perhaps be the DH against left-handers, with Trumbo moving to right field in a platoon with Seth Smith.

There's plenty of time to sort it out, and Duquette isn't done constructing the roster.

Trumbo is a career .251/.303/.473 hitter in seven seasons with the Angels, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Orioles. He batted .173 against left-handers last season, but carries a career .251 average against them - matching his average against right-handers.

The Orioles designated outfielder Adam Walker for assignment to make room for Trumbo on the 40-man roster. Walker led the minors with 202 strikeouts last season at Triple-A Rochester.

Walker, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Brewers in December after spending five minor league seasons in the Twins organization.