KANSAS CITY -- The Twins added to their positional depth on Monday, claiming utility man Taylor Motter off waivers from the Mariners after he was designated for assignment on Sunday. Motter, who has one year left of Minor League options, will report to Triple-A Rochester.
Motter, 28, appeared in seven games with the Mariners this season, going 4-for-15 with a homer and two walks. He's a career .198/.269/.326 hitter with 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 132 games over three seasons with the Rays and Mariners. He has experience at all four infield positions as well as left field and right field.
"He's a versatile guy who's going to get plugged in there," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He can do some things. We'll see how it goes down there."
Twins bench coach Derek Shelton is familiar with Motter, as he was the Rays' hitting coach in '16. First baseman Logan Morrison was also Motter's teammate with Tampa Bay that season and spoke highly of him.
"He's very talented," Morrison said. "He can play a lot of positions. He has pop. It's an opportunity for him so we'll see what happens."
Injury updates
• First baseman Joe Mauer is continuing to make progress with his cervical neck strain and concussion-like symptoms, as he's been taking batting practice and fielding grounders without any issues at Target Field. Mauer, who has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 19, could return as soon as Thursday, when the Twins begin a four-game series against the Indians.
"We're pleased that Joe is doing well," Molitor said. "Hasn't had any setbacks. Don't want to get too excited about the potential of him being ready sooner than later, but hopefully he has a good day tomorrow and he forces our hand a little bit about what we want to do when we get back [at Target Field]."
• Right-hander Ervin Santana is set to make a rehab start with Class A Advanced Fort Myers on Tuesday after allowing two runs on four hits over two innings in his first rehab outing with Double-A Chattanooga on Wednesday. The Twins are looking for better velocity from Santana, who is coming off February surgery to have calcium deposits removed from his right middle finger.