Mariners interim manager Robby Thompson said that Dustin Ackley will get an extended look in the outfield in the coming weeks. Ackley has played in 24 of 39 games in the outfield since being recalled in late June. He's hit just .255/.302/.337 in those games, but the Mariners want to see how he handles center field on a regular basis. "We have to see what we have out there with Ackley in center field," Thompson said. "We kind of know what we have with Saunders in center and the corners. There's a chance we'll have Guti coming back -- and where he's going to fit in. So we're just trying to get Ack in there."

Dustin Ackley went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI in Sunday's win against the Astros. It was the former second baseman's first multi-hit game since July 6 and just his second since early-May. Ackley is batting a horribly disappointing .215/.279/.268 through 209 at-bats.

Dustin Ackley (thumb) is playing center field for the Mariners on Tuesday against the Rangers. Ackley suffered a sprained left thumb Saturday while diving for a ball in center field -- a brand new position for the former second baseman. The sprain was never a major concern for the Mariners' medical staff.

Dustin Ackley (thumb) is hoping to return to the lineup on Tuesday. Ackley suffered a sprained left thumb Saturday, but he's feeling better Sunday and hopes to be ready after the off day. He has one hit in seven at-bats since returning from the minors.

X-rays on Dustin Ackley's left thumb came back negative. The Mariners were worried he'd broken the thumb, but Mariners manager Eric Wedge said after the game that it was only a sprain. The Mariners will try to get by without him for a few days rather than making a roster move. Ackley will likely miss the rest of the weekend and possibly a few games next week with the injury, but as of now it looks like he'll avoid the disabled list.

Dustin Ackley left Saturday's game after spraining his left thumb. Ackley suffered the injury diving for a ball in center field (it was just his second game at the position this season). He's scheduled to get X-rays, and more will obviously be known after the results are received. Jason Bay replaced him in center field on Saturday.

Dustin Ackley will make his first major league start in center field Friday against the Cubs. Mariners manager Eric Wedge resisted playing Ackley there for a day game on Wednesday, but he'll have enough prep time leading up to Friday's game to get comfortable. Fresh off hitting .365/.472/.500 in 25 games with Triple-A Tacoma, the 25-year-old should get plenty of playing time between center field and left in the coming days with Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Morse both on the disabled list.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said he didn't put Dustin Ackley in the starting lineup Wednesday because he wants him to get better acclimated to the outfield. Wedge didn't think it was fair to put Ackley out there for Wednesday's matinee with no pre-game work time, so it sounds like he'll make his debut in the outfield on Friday. The 25-year-old has earned his way back to the majors after hitting .365/.472/.500 in 25 games with Triple-A Tacoma.

Dustin Ackley is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Pirates. Ackley was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday after batting .365/.472/.500 in 25 games. It's a little odd that the Mariners didn't throw him right in the lineup, but he's expected to see plenty of playing time in the outfield in the coming days.

Mariners recalled INF/OF Dustin Ackley from Triple-A Tacoma. With Nick Franklin playing so well, the Mariners plan to use Ackley in the outfield. He should see ample time in both left and center field with Michael Morse and Franklin Gutierrez on the disabled list. Ackley batted .365/.472/.500 in 25 games at Tacoma and should be considered for an addition to AL-only rosters.