Trumbo making it back to active roster

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is expected to have a locker inside the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field this morning as the latest roster addition for the Orioles.

The reaction on Twitter will include such unique and classy gems as "Who cares?" and "It doesn't matter." Because ... Twitter.

Well, try telling that to the Orioles. Try telling that to Trumbo, who's returning from a complicated procedure on his right knee one year ago that threatened to end his career without allowing him to make another plate appearance in the majors.

Trumbo has worked hard to come back, enduring multiple shutdowns and start overs along the way because he felt so bad about collecting a salary while unable to play. Because he would rather go out on his terms, with a decision pending on whether to retire after the season.

Despite some ridiculous stories and rumors to the contrary, Trumbo has been a positive veteran influence in the clubhouse and someone who's willing to offer advice and assistance to the younger players. He isn't anti-fun. He just doesn't exude a bubbly personality, which can be mistaken for distant or grumpy.

And no, he didn't kill the pie celebrations. The only way that urban legend could be more ridiculous is if it included Kevin Costner.

Trumbo hasn't played in a major league game since Aug. 19, 2018 in Cleveland, with the pain in his knee leading to surgery a month later that included the repairing of a hole in his cartilage. He was in the lineup for three games at The Trop on Aug. 7-9 and went 4-for-12 with a home run.

The cruelty of Trumbo's health predicament included how he slashed .304/.322/.571 with five home runs in 16 August games. The bat heated up. He felt good at the plate.

Except for the knee.

Manager Brandon Hyde has valued Trumbo's clubhouse and dugout presence and will find ways to get him in the lineup while also playing Renato Núñez and the younger outfielders.

Trumbo won't run the table over the final month. He's also going to sit. But he's earned the right, through a strenuous rehab and especially his body of work since debuting with the Angels in 2010, to step back in the box.

It won't hurt the development of a prospect. It won't ruin the club's chances at a wild card.

Let him play. Appreciate the effort and the career.

Asher Wojciechowski is starting the series opener today against the Rays, with Hyde waiting to announce the pitchers for the following day's doubleheader.

Wojciechowski is working on regular rest after facing the Nationals Wednesday in D.C. and allowing five runs in four innings to raise his ERA from 4.67 to 5.12. The Rays provided the opposition in his previous start at Camden Yards and he surrendered two runs in five innings.

Austin Meadows and Willy Adames hit solo home runs.

The Rays just swept the Indians in a three-game series and are 80-58. They also moved into the lead in the American League wild card race.

Tampa Bay is starting left-hander Ryan Yarbrough today, but only because they already traded Ryne Stanek. I'm pretty sure they alternated in the first half.

Or maybe they were held back only to face the Orioles.

Yarbrough has allowed three earned runs and four total in 13 2/3 innings against the Orioles. He made an Aug. 22 start at Camden Yards and allowed one earned run and two total with three hits in 4 1/3 innings. He held them to one run and two hits with no walks and six strikeouts in 6 1/3 relief innings on July 14.

The Rays will use a combination of openers and relievers for the doubleheader. Trevor Richards will be involved.