Dustin Ackley has hit .429 with a 1.143 OPS in 11 games at Triple-A since being demoted back to the minors by the Mariners last month, but whenever he returns to the majors it might not be as a second baseman.
Seattle seems committed to giving rookie Nick Franklin a lengthy opportunity to establish himself as the long-term second baseman and last night the Mariners had Ackley start in left field at Triple-A.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times reports that Ackley is also expected to get some reps in center field and right field while in Tacoma. Ackley played the outfield in college before Tommy John surgery forced a move to first base and he’s been almost exclusively a second baseman as a pro, logging zero time in the outfield before yesterday.
