Knee surgery to end season for Trumbo

September call-ups to be sporadic; Mullins out of lineup once again

After receiving several opinions on his injured right knee, Orioles designated hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo has decided to have surgery that will likely end his season.

Trumbo received a fourth and final evaluation on his knee Tuesday in Northern California, and the Orioles announced that it was no different than the previous three.

Trumbo has played through knee pain for most of the season, but was sent back to Baltimore after the conclusion of the Orioles’ series in Cleveland on Aug. 19 to have an MRI.

He landed on the disabled list the following day. His knee was also examined by Orioles team physicians Michael Jacobs and Leigh Ann Curl, as well as renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, before Wednesday’s evaluation.

Trumbo will decide when and where he will have the procedure in the next few days.

“Nothing major,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “Nothing that can’t be fixed. He just want to make sure he takes in all the opinions. If you know Mark, he knows he needs to get something done there and he’s really concerned about the timeframe and being ready for spring training next year.”

Before traveling cross country, Trumbo conceded Friday that having surgery was probably the best and most likely option.

The lingering pain in Trumbo’s knee recently limited him to designated hitter duties, and he received two weeks ago that did little to ease the pain. In the days before going on the DL, it was evident that even running down the first-base line caused him discomfort. Mark Trumbo Call-ups will be sporadic: Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday that the team expects to make additions when rosters expand Saturday, but added that the moves will come at different intervals. Still, the Orioles aren’t expected to add many players in September. Triple-A Norfolk’s season doesn’t end until Sept. 3, so the Orioles are likely to let most players finish their seasons with the Tides, especially since Norfolk is still in the race for a wild-card spot. The Tides entered Wednesday night two games back with six games to play.

Among the likeliest players to be added from Triple-A are outfielder Joey Rickard and a third catcher. The only available catcher on the 40-man roster is Chance Sisco after Andrew Susac went on the restricted list earlier this week. Outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander could also receive call-ups.

Showalter added that he and pitching coach Roger McDowell have kept tabs on innings and appearance totals for all potential pitching callups — right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis, for example — but those numbers won’t be the only factor in deciding whether minor league pitchers will be called up for big league innings.

Unlike recent years, the Orioles aren’t expected to have a taxi squad camp this season for players who could be added to the roster in September.

“I’m hoping when guys are healthy, they’ll come here, and the decision will be made on who’s coming and who’s not coming,” Showalter said. “I don’t see a reason for one.” Mullins out of starting lineup again: Center fielder Cedric Mullins was out of the starting lineup Wednesday for the second straight game and the third time in the past four with a lingering hip problem. For the second consecutive night, John Andreoli received the start in center field against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Showalter said the club wants to get a closer look at the speedy Andreoli in center, but added that isn’t the primary reason for Mullins’ extended absence. Showalter said he hopes Mullins will benefit from Thursday’s off day and should be back in the starting lineup Friday when the Orioles open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who are expected to start three right-handed pitchers. Around the horn: Infielder Steve Wilkerson is expected to begin baseball activities within the next few days and should play in games by the middle of next week, but with the minor league seasons ending — and if Triple-A Norfolk doesn’t make the postseason — those innings might have to come in Sarasota, Fla., in an extended spring training atmosphere. …. Rookie left-hander Josh Rogers was the 53rd different player and 27th pitcher to appear in a game for the Orioles this season. The 53 players ranks second in club history, one shy of the team record set in1955. Rogers was the12th pitcher to make his debut with the team, marking the most since 12 pitchers debuted in 2012. …. The Orioles announced the promotion of Lisa Tolson, a 33-year employee of the team, to vice president of human resources. Tolson, who oversees all aspects of the team’s human resources functions, began her career with the Orioles in 1985 in the team’s ticket office as a group sales liaison and was named director of human resources in 2000.