SEATTLE — The Twins are well aware of how valuable Willi Castro and his versatility are to them.

But how’s this for a stat to actually quantify it: per MLB Network research, when Castro manned second base on Saturday, he became just the third player in Major League Baseball history with at least 20 appearances at five different positions in the same season.

He joins Zach McKinstry, who did it last year for Detroit, and Tony Phillips, who accomplished the feat in 1992. And one of those “positions” for Phillips was designated hitter.

McKinstry, who did it last year, took nearly the entire season to do so, playing his 20th game at shortstop on Sept. 20, Game 152 of the season.

It took Castro just 83 games.

“We’re only halfway through the season, so I wonder what he’s actually going to accomplish by the end of the year, but we know what we have in Willi,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We know how fortunate we are and how much he helps us as a team.”

Castro handled third base duties when Royce Lewis went down, shortstop when Carlos Correa got injured, center field when Byron Buxton went on the injured list and now he’s mostly been playing second since the Twins optioned Edouard Julien to Triple-A. He’s also been in the mix in left field, the position he’s been at the most, appearing there in 22 games heading into Saturday’s tilt.

“They’re going to use me wherever they need me and I will get the job done,” Castro said earlier this month. “They believe in me a lot and I just try to do my best every time I play those positions.”

Snack time

You never quite know what you’re going to see when you walk into a major league clubhouse.

On Saturday, it was a plate of toasted grasshoppers with a chili-lime seasoning, which are a popular concession item at T-Mobile Park. They were there for any player, coach or staff member brave enough to try one.

Most stayed away.

Correa, who said he had eaten one in the past, tried to prod some of his teammates into snacking on one but had little success.

“Margot’s the No. 1 eater in this clubhouse,” Correa yelled across the room.

“I’m full,” Manuel Margot responded.

“No chance,” Jhoan Duran said.

“I’m good,” Christian Vázquez replied.

Relievers Kody Funderburk and Josh Staumont, starter Chris Paddack and utilityman Austin Martin were among those who ate one.

Joe Ryan, after some encouragement from Staumont — who ate multiple of them and said he enjoyed them — picked one up, smelled it and then flung the insect across the room into a trash can.

Briefly

The Twins’ nine-game, 10-day road trip will come to a conclusion on Sunday when Joe Ryan takes the mound against Luis Castillo. Ryan gave up four runs in six innings pitched the last time out against the Diamondbacks. He did not face the Mariners earlier this season. Castillo gave up three runs — two earned — in 6 2/3 innings against the Twins in May.

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