SARASOTA, Fla. -- By testing his surgically repaired right knee in running drills Friday at the Orioles Spring Training complex, Mark Trumbo took another tangible step toward returning to game action. When exactly he will, though, neither Trumbo nor the Orioles knows for sure. 

Both parties continue to exercise caution with Trumbo, who previously set a target date of March 12 for his Grapefruit League debut. That’s already been pushed back a day due to scheduling purposes, MLB.com has learned, and remains subject to change. What’s clear is that waiting any longer would only cast more uncertainty on the slugger’s status for Opening Day.

“It’s a possibility,” Trumbo told MLB.com Saturday, of hitting the target date. “We still need to crank it up a bit more.” 

The latest effort to do that came Friday, when Trumbo went through a battery of base-running drills at what he called “almost 100 percent” effort. He sprinted from home to first, went first to third to simulate turns, and, for the first time since his August surgery, slid into bases. Sprinting and sliding were seen as the final recovery hurdles for Trumbo, who has been hitting daily (often against live pitching) and doing fielding drills since camp opened. 

“The demands of fielding would be harder on my knee than the other things,” Trumbo said. “Hitting, it feels fine.” 

All of which qualifies as good news, given how Trumbo projects as the Orioles’ full-time designated hitter and the seriousness of his operation. Trumbo’s surgery was more than just a routine cleanup; he’d played for years through a chondral defect in his right knee, a chronic, degenerative condition that grinds down the cartilage buffer between the femur and tibia. Red Sox infielder Dustin Pedroia and righty Steven Wright are among those who’ve battled similar ailments in recent years. Both have had trouble returning to the field post-surgery.

Trumbo said doctors recommended a recovery time of one year. Opening Day would mark nearly eight months.

“It’s not life or death for me,” Trumbo says of being ready for March 28 in New York. “I’d like to be available. But it does nobody any good if I’m at a level that’s not up to par.”

The Orioles won’t be wanting for other options. Heading north with Trumbo on the injured list would create an opportunity for one of their several young players performing well this spring, say Anthony Santander, to get at bats at DH. They could also slide Chris Davis (barring the health of his strained hip flexor) or Trey Mancini into that role, opening space at first base and/or left field.

One of the Orioles’ few veterans in the fold this spring, Trumbo is entering the final year of a three-year, $37.5 million contract. He hit .261 with 17 home runs and a 110 OPS+ during an injury-plagued 2018, before being shut down Aug. 19.

“I want Mark to be healthy during the season and not try to force or rush,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I want to do what’s best for him to allow him to not only help us but to put up good numbers for him and him to feel good throughout the whole season.”

Davis update

The discomfort in Davis’ left hip flexor has lingered long enough for him to undergo an MRI on Friday morning, the results of which were not immediately available. Davis, who has been sidelined since Sunday, is still considered day-to-day. Davis appeared in five games prior to the injury, going 1-for-12 with a home run and seven strikeouts.

Latest on Karns

The Orioles were encouraged by the scoreless inning Nate Karns threw in Friday's 4-2 win over the Red Sox, the righty's second appearance since being scratched with arm soreness last week. Where the club slotted Karns on its pitching schedule was telling as well. By writing Karns in behind starter Andrew Cashner and giving him a strict pitch count, they hinted at their intention to continue evaluating Karns as a reliever. The club's lone Major League free agent signing, Karns arrived in camp the ostensible No. 4 starter. But durability is a concern after he missed much of the past two years to arm injuries.

Making moves

The Orioles continue to turn their international bonus surplus into organizational depth. On Friday they sent slot money to the Blue Jays for 26-year-old outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., a former first round pick who has appeared in 47 games for Toronto since 2017. Left-hander Josh Osich was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Sign of the times

In something of a signal that he won’t be returning to the Orioles, former center fielder Adam Jones has listed his Baltimore County estate for sale, according to a report by the Baltimore Sun. The paper reports an asking price of $3.995 million for the 21,890-square-foot Worthington Valley mansion, which Jones purchased from Cal Ripken Jr. just last year. A five-time All-Star and one of the most accomplished players in club history, Jones was not targeted by the Orioles’ new front office and went unsigned throughout the winter. He remains a free agent.

Come on down

With the start of the season fast approaching, the Orioles will host a Birdland Memberships Open House on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The event will allow fans who are interested in becoming Birdland Members to learn about the new membership benefits, including concessions and merchandise discounts, special ballpark access, and the all-new Birdland Rewards. Fans will also have an opportunity to “try out” available seat locations before they make a purchase. Additional information on the day’s activities can be found at Orioles.com/openhouse.

Up Next

Richard Bleier is scheduled to make his first appearance since undergoing lat surgery last June as part of a split-squad Orioles club hosting the Yankees on Saturday night. David Hess will start that game under the lights at Ed Smith Stadium, with first pitch slated for 6:05 pm. Earlier in the day, Dylan Bundy will lead an Orioles contingency to Port Charlotte to face the Rays for the fourth and final time this spring.