The Mariners Sunday recalled INF Taylor Motter from AAA Tacoma and, to make room on the 25-man roster, placed INF Danny Espinosa on waivers for the purpose of granting him his release. Motter was in the lineup at third base Sunday for the third of three games against the Tampa Bay Rays as Kyle Seager recovers from a stomach virus.
Motter, 27, hit .350 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 25 games with Tacoma after being optioned July 24. Motter began the season with Seattle, appearing in 70 games. He batted .204 with 24 runs scored, 11 doubles, seven home runs and 23 RBIs. In his first 18 games (April 4-26), he hit .262. Defensively, he appeared at every position except center field, pitcher and catcher.
The Mariners acquired Motter (with INF Richie Shaffer) from Tampa Dec. 16 in exchange for INF Dalton Kelly, RHP Andrew Kittridge and RHP Dylan Thompson. He made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2016, appearing in 33 games.
Espinosa, 30, appeared in eight games after signing as a free agent July 24, hitting .188. He began the season with the Los Angeles Angels, batting .162. Espinosa was released by the Angels July 20.
The Mariners (63-61) seek a sweep Sunday. RHP Yovani Gallardo (5-8, 5.84) will throw for Seattle opposite LHP Blake Snell (1-6, 4.78).
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Mariners are starting Motter at third base today, which shows they are finally getting serious at winning now.