Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo was in the clubhouse before Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

BALTIMORE — Trumbo has been nursing a hamstring injury since March 15, which put him out for 3-4 weeks. He began the season on the 10-day disabled list, but entering into the third week of his recovery, Trumbo expects to begin his rehab assignment in Sarasota.

“I’m gonna go down to Sarasota, play in some games, see how everything checks out and keep going,” said Trumbo.

Trumbo, 32, finished the 2017 season batting .234/.289/.397, hitting 23 home runs while driving in 65 runs. He was also asked when he would be reactivated to begin his 2018 season.

“Probably fairly soon,” Trumbo said of his return. “We need to make sure that everything is in order before we jump ahead. Let’s make sure this thing get’s right, so it’s not lingering any longer than it has to.”

He would also be asked if the rehab was going as well as he thought it would.

“I think so,” Trumbo said. “There was a plan in place. I guess the setback occurred and so we’re following that.”

Baltimore’s lead designated hitter has also been looking get a better feel for pitching, standing in during pitchers’ bullpen sessions.

“I’ve stood in against some of the guys,” said Trumbo. “I’ve tried to simulate as much as I can. It’s not the same as getting real at-bats. So that part I’m looking forward to [in-game situations]. I’ve done what I can with the resources that we have.

As Trumbo has been working on his return, Baltimore has used both Pedro Alvarez and Anthony Santander in the designated hitter’s role. Alvarez has only had two plate appearances and has had four. Neither has gotten a hit, but both have walked in two games.

When Trumbo does return, he will look to return to his 2016 form, where he batted .256/.316/.533, leading the American League with 47 home runs and driving in 108 runs. If Trumbo were to return to his average play, bat .249/.301/.461 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI in a season, so it is fair to say that his bat could be an aid to the team.

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(Photo Credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images North America)

Kyle Andrews

Born in Norfolk, VA, raised in the Baltimore area and currently living there. Originally pursuing a degree in exercise science at McDaniel, Andrews became interested in sports writing. He was the sports editor of McDaniel's newspaper in 2014 and became an English major, and hasn't looked back since.

Bylines at Fox Sports 1340 AM, Bullets Forever, Baltimore Beatdown, Underdog Dynasty and many other sites.