Motter activated from DL, optioned to Double-A

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins utilityman Taylor Motter has been activated from the 7-day disabled list and optioned to Double-A Chattanooga, the Twins announced on Friday.
The club had planned to send Motter to Triple-A Rochester, but since the Triple-A All-Star break takes place from July 9-11, Motter elected to head to Double-A in order to get more game reps.
"I'm glad he's doing better," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "We all know the collision in Chicago was violent. He recovered well, and it's one of those things where he hasn't played in a week. We thought it would be good to get him down there and back to playing and see. … He is ready to get back to work."
Motter is hitless and has driven in one run in seven games with the Twins this season while filling in all over the infield and occasionally playing some outfield. He hit .267 in seven games with the Mariners before being designated for assignment on May 27.

Santana continues rehab
As Ervin Santana continues to work his way back from a finger injury on his throwing hand, the Twins are making a slight adjustment to his rehab trajectory.
Santana threw four innings and struck out two batters while surrendering a pair of runs in an outing for Class A Fort Myers on Thursday. His next outing will come on July 10 at Double-A Chattanooga in order to accommodate the organization's schedule. The Twins originally intended for Santana's next outing to be with Triple-A Rochester, but the Red Wings will be on their All-Star break.
"We all saw the numbers," Molitor said. "A tick up in velocity. He gave up a semi-bloop single that was followed by a first-pitch home run. Those were his blemishes. His slider was a little inconsistent, but he had some really good ones. The change, they said, had some really good movement underneath the fastball."'

Torii Hunter gets managerial chance
The rosters and coachings staffs for the 2018 Futures Game were announced Friday, and the Twins will be well-represented.
Minnesota prospects Alex Kirilloff, who is ranked No. 3 on the club's top-30 list according to MLB Pipeline, will represent the U.S. Team. Lewis Thorpe (No. 11) will represent the World Team.
Hunter, who currently works as a baseball operations special assistant for Minnesota, will manage Team USA and he is bringing plenty of familiar faces with him. LaTroy Hawkins, Matthew LeCroy and Steve Singleton will all be part of Hunter's coaching staff for the game.
Hawkins is also a special assistant to the Twins, while Singleton is a Minor League hitting coach with the club. LeCroy, who played for the Twins from 2000-2005, manages the Harrisburg Senators in the Nationals' Minor League system.
"It's a great experience," Molitor said of managing the Futures Game. "I can tell you because I did it in 2002. Just all the things that come with those three or four days and leading up to it and the couple days after it. … I think the people who have a chance to play for him in that game will not forget the experience."