Trimble entered professional baseball in 1948 in his home city with the Providence Grays, an independently operated club in the Class B New England League. The following year he joined the Cincinnati Reds' organization, spending two years in the mid-minors before developing a sore arm and earning his unconditional release. He then missed the 1951–1953 seasons, serving for part of that time in the United States Marines during the Korean War.
After his discharge from the Marines, Trimble, a free agent, signed with the Pirates' organization. He spent 1954 in the Class B Carolina League, then was selected by the Red Sox in that autumn's Rule 5 draft. He broke camp with Boston as a member of the Red Sox' 28-man early-season roster. In two appearances, both in relief, and two innings of work, he allowed no runs and no hits, although he issued two bases on balls. He fanned one batter, future Baseball Hall of Famer Minnie Miñoso.
Trimble was returned to the Pittsburgh system after his second Bosox appearance, pitching in the Open-Classification Pacific Coast League—then the highest level in minor league baseball—for two seasons with the Hollywood Stars. In 1957, Trimble worked in five games for the Pirates, including four starts, dropping his only two decisions and posting an ineffective 8.24 earned run average, allowing seven home runs in only 192⁄3 innings pitched. He ended his pro career after spending 1958 in the Pacific Coast League.

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