Designated hitter-outfielder Mark Trumbo was activated from the disabled list and is expected to make his regular-season debut Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Trumbo, who opened the season on the DL with a nagging quadriceps strain that limited him to 23 spring training at-bats, played five games on a minor league rehabilitation assignment before returning. That included most recently three games with Triple-A Norfolk, where Trumbo played the outfield and served as DH and went 4-for-14.
It's been a long climb back for Trumbo, who halted his rehab twice after testing his quad in a game before his most recent rehab assignment. His goal was to ensure that the injury was completely resolved before returning, and even though that took longer than anticipated, Trumbo said last week that he was confident he took the positive turn he needed.
The Orioles optioned outfielder Joey Rickard to Norfolk to make 25-man roster to make room for Trumbo, an Orange County native who was drafted by the Angels and spent his first four years in Anaheim.
The Orioles placed utility infielder Luis Sardinas on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain and recalled Engelb Vielma to take his place.
Sardinas last played Saturday as a late-inning substitution. His most recent start came nine days ago on April 22. He is 2-for-18 at the plate.
Vielma was up briefly last month, going 0-for-3 in three games, but earned praise from manager Buck Showalter for his defense.
