Mariners option Taylor Motter to Triple-A, reportedly adding Danny Espinosa

The Mariners have optioned infielder Taylor Motter to Triple-A Tacoma. The club announced the move Monday, saying in its press release that a corresponding roster move will be announced later in the day, before the opener of a three-game series against Boston at Safeco Field.

That move could be to add Danny Espinosa. Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday night that the Mariners have agreed to a deal with Espinosa, a 30-year-old infielder who was designated for assignment by the Angels earlier this month.

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Espinosa is a career .221 hitter over eight season in the majors, the first seven of which were with Washington. He posted a slash line of .162/.237/.276 over 77 games with the Angels before he was DFAd.

Motter, 27, had cooled off following a strong offensive start to the season, when he .262 with five home runs and 13 RBIs over his first 18 games. Since then, he’s hit .180 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 52 games.

The move with Motter comes a day after he committed a costly base-running blunder in the Mariners’ loss to the Yankees. Motter came on as a pinch-runner in the bottom of the ninth and was picked off between first and second base.