Motter near lock for Mariners' utility role

O'Malley out 10-14 days following appendectomy; Vogelbach sent down

March 24th, 2017

PEORIA, Ariz. -- One of the few roster battles in Mariners camp appears all but finalized now as will open the season as the club's utility player with expected to miss about 10 to 14 days following his appendectomy surgery Tuesday.
That situation, in conjunction with the Mariners' decision to option rookie first baseman to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, puts Motter in the driver's seat for a role that now includes backing up first base behind Danny Valencia as a key component.
General manager Jerry Dipoto said he's comfortable with Motter at any position on the field after seeing him play this spring.
"I asked him, 'You look very natural there. Have you played a ton of first base?' Dipoto said. He said, 'I just play infield. I'll play wherever you want to put me. You put me in the outfield, I'll play there, too.' He's a confident player.
"He looks very athletic around the bag at first base, so that gave us some degree of certainty in the versatility we have. We have more than one player on our 25-man roster to start the season that can play first base and that's probably where Taylor winds up."
Motter, 27, was acquired from the Rays in November. He's played just 33 big league games and hit .188, but has a strong Minor League history at the plate and has played every position except catcher in his pro career.
O'Malley was at the Mariners complex again Thursday to work with athletic trainers and is pushing to be back as soon as possible, but the calendar is working against him with Opening Day on April 3.
"He's going to be down probably 10 days to two weeks is his best-case scenario before he's up and running and full activity," Servais said. "Timing wise it's not great for him with the work he's put in. But we know what O'Malley can do and we like what he brings. We just have to get him healthy and see where he goes from there."
, the other utility option, is not on the 40-man roster and will likely open the season in Tacoma.