Waiting on Trumbo decision and Britton's return

Before the first pitch is thrown tonight to open a four-game series against the Yankees, it's possible that the Orioles finally know whether Mark Trumbo has opted for surgery on his sore right knee or will try rehabbing it and perhaps extend his season.

Trumbo flew back to Baltimore after Sunday's game instead of accompanying the team to Toronto. He's on the 10-day disabled list but could be sidelined a lot longer, considering that the knee has been flaring up since May.

Multiple opinions have been sought, including one belonging to Dr. Leigh Ann Curl, the head orthopedic surgeon for the Ravens.

The deadline trades left Trumbo as one of the top run producers on the team, but is it worth pushing through the pain again and feeling like a liability on the bases due to his limited mobility? It is in a pennant race.

My attempts yesterday to receive an update on Trumbo were unsuccessful. I kept waiting to hear about it later on a podcast. But as far as I know, the Orioles remain mum on the topic.

Manny Machado continues to lead the qualifying Orioles in average (.315), on-base percentage (.387), slugging percentage (.575), home runs (24) and RBIs (65), and he was traded on July 18. His 115 hits are second to Adam Jones' 132 and his 48 runs are second to Trey Mancini's 51.

The preference is for the Most Valuable Oriole to receive his award on the field before a game at Camden Yards. Not to have it shipped. But I'm still going to be tempted to give Machado my first-place vote.

(I'm reminded again of my all-time favorite MVO moment, when the media gathered at B.J. Surhoff's locker to get a comment and he replied, "I know why you guys chose me. Cal's hurt and you hate Albert.")

The Yankee series also marks the return of "Players' Weekend," with its special uniforms and nicknames. Trumbo goes by "Trum." No explanation needed.

Speaking of returns, the Camden crowd can welcome back reliever Zach Britton, making his first visit since the Orioles traded him to the Yankees on July 24. He's bound to appear in at least one of the four games and should receive a big ovation.

The booing might come from Yankees fans who have been, shall we say, disappointed in his 5.23 ERA and 1.548 WHIP in 11 appearances.

Britton has allowed six runs and 10 hits with six walks, nine strikeouts, two wild pitches and two hit batters in 10 1/3 innings. He has three "holds" and one blown save.

The left-hander hasn't been scored upon in his last three outings, with only one hit surrendered and no walks in three innings. His responsibilities could grow with Aroldis Chapman on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis.

I've been on the beat full-time since 1997 and there hasn't been a better guy to interact with on a daily basis than Zach Britton. Whether in need of a quote or just interested in casual conversation. Funny, thoughtful, professional. Never ducked the media after a bad outing and deflected credit after the good ones. A class act.

His absence in the clubhouse really stings, but it's also understood.

Payroll is going down hard in the rebuild and Britton doesn't fit. Maybe if he had agreed to give starting another shot. But that idea was floated before the Orioles were 50-plus games below .500.

Down on the farm, Double-A Bowie left-hander Keegan Akin and designated hitter Corban Joseph were selected to the 2018 Eastern League All-Star Team, voted on by the managers, coaches and media.

Akin is 14-6 with a 2.77 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 23 starts over 130 innings. He's in line to become just the sixth pitcher in league history to win the pitching equivalent of the Triple Crown because he leads in wins, ERA and strikeouts (135).

In 112 games with the Baysox, Joseph is batting .311 with 28 doubles, 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and 68 runs scored. His average leads the league.