Baltimore Orioles: What’s Next for Mark Trumbo after Injury and Poor Spring Training?

The Baltimore Orioles’ roster will have a little extra flexibility, as one of their power hitters will start the season on the disabled list.

A section of Baltimore Orioles fans (myself included) were hoping that Mark Trumbo would be traded this offseason.

The argument was that it would open up the roster, not having him holding down the DH slot. It also would help the Orioles in all facets of the game, as Trumbo struggled mightily last season.

Well, Trumbo will be starting the season on the disabled list.

Trumbo was struggling through much of Orioles spring training before he suffered an injury. He produced just three hits in 20 at-bats with nine strikeouts.

What does this mean for the Orioles’ roster? Potentially a lot.

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First, it opens up a spot for on the Orioles roster. There are several ways the Orioles could go with this.

First is to keep both Danny Valencia and a utility player, which at this point would be either Luis Sardinas or Engelb Vielma. Sardinas has been much better with the bat, but Vielma has been excellent defensively in his limited time due to visa issues. That is one option.

The other option includes keeping three catchers on the roster to start the season.

Yes, that’s right, this would keep Chance Sisco on the team. In fact, it would be possible that Sisco and Valencia could platoon at designated hitter.

So, let’s review. Here are the anticipated players on the Orioles 25-man roster come Opening Day:

Catchers: Caleb Joseph, Backup (assuming either Andrew Susac or Austin Wynns)

Infielders: Chris Davis (who could also start on the DL), Jonathan Schoop, Manny Machado, Tim Beckham

Outfielders: Trey Mancini, Adam Jones, Colby Rasmus, Anthony Santander, Craig Gentry

That’s 11 players and the team will likely keep two more players. I am penciling in Valencia as one of those, especially after the Trumbo injury. So, that leaves the question of who the 13th player.

Do the Orioles go with Sisco, allowing him to learn from Joseph and John Russell in the major leagues, working on his defense by day and also playing DH.

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Or, do they opt to keep that utility infielder, a position that really is not necessary?

If Davis ends up on the disabled list, it will further complicate the situation. For now, those who wanted Trumbo traded will get a glimpse of the Baltimore Orioles without him to start the 2018 season.