Rays’ Motter Makes His Mark

ST. PETERSBURG—It’s hard not to notice utilityman Taylor Motter.

His long, flowing blonde locks, that he hasn’t done more than trimmed in about three years, make his presence known.

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“The hair’s my thing,” said Motter, 26. “I’m trying to make a statement with that.’’

But Motter, who has started games at shortstop and third base for the Rays, is worth noticing for much more than his hair.

“I’m going to play hard, come out and get my jersey dirty every game and give it my all to help the team win,” he said. “Whether it’s a defensive play, an at-bat, a bunt, a hit-and-run, a stolen base—something. I’m going to do everything I can to help.”

The Rays added Moter, a 17th-round pick in 2011 form Coastal Carolina, to the 40-man roster last November, and he made a solid impression in spring training. When the Rays lost Logan Forsythe for at least a month with a shoulder fracture, they called up Motter from Triple-A Durham.

He immediately showed what he can do, starting at shortstop in first game on May 16, getting a single in his first at-bat and then moving to right field, making him the first player since at least 1913 to play shortstop and outfield in his big league debut.

In Motter’s second game, he hit a pinch-hit homer. In his sixth, playing in front of more than a dozen relatives and friends in Miami, he homered while reaching base three times.

The trip back to his hometown also allowed Motter to reflect on his journey to the major leagues.

“You see . . . what you had to go through (to reach the majors), and it’s been a roller-coaster,” Motter said. “(I’m) not saying I’ve always been behind the eight-ball a little bit, but working with a chip on my shoulder has always been a huge factor for me. I always keep that chip there, no matter what, so I think that is a huge part of it for me.”

COOL RAYS

• With Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier sidelined into August after breaking two bones in his left hand, Mikie Mahtook got called up from Triple-A and will get the chance to play on a somewhat regular basis.

• Righthanded reliever Tyler Sturdevant made his major league debut for the Rays on May 24 after spending seven-plus seasons in the minors. He signed as a minor league free agent in November and had been pitching at Durham.