Dustin Ackley is not in the Mariners starting lineup on Saturday due to a stiff neck. He was removed from Friday's game with the issue, but manager Eric Wedge said that Ackley is feeling better and would likely return to the lineup on Sunday. Kyle Seager will draw the start at second base for the Mariners on Saturday.

Dustin Ackley was removed from Friday's game against the Rangers with neck stiffness. The Mariners have yet to provide an update on his status, but Ackley should be considered day-to-day. Alex Liddi replaced him in the lineup Friday, with Kyle Seager moving to second base.

Dustin Ackley singled home both of the Mariners' runs in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox. Ackley's fourth-inning knock was his only hit in four trips to the plate. Ackley's now hitting .230 in 204 at-bats since the All-Star break after entering the Midsummer Classic with a .233 mark. His on-base percentage is south of .300 since the stars gathered in Kansas City, and an even .300 on the season. 2013 is going to be a very important season for the 24-year-old former No. 2 overall pick.

Dustin Ackley went hitless in a fifth straight game Wednesday and is down to .220 for the season. It's probably time for Ackley to be reunited with Justin Smoak in Triple-A. The Mariners don't have any great alternatives, but they could give Carlos Triunfel a shot. While the 22-year-old Triunfel is hitting just .255/.311/.399 overall for Tacoma, he is batting .299/.329/.493 in July.

Dustin Ackley struck out with the tying run on third to end an 0-for-5 night against the Rangers on Friday. The Mariners need to do something to shake things up a bit, and sending down Ackley is an option, even though he's not quite as deserving of the demotion as Justin Smoak. With the 0-for-5 tonight, his average is down to .230. His OPS is down nearly 140 points from where he finished his rookie season.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Mariners have discussed demoting Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak to the minors. Heyman says they "may keep them up for now, though." Both youngsters have been disappointing this season, as Ackley has hit just .233/.311/.325, while Smoak is sporting just a .203/.265/.332 batting line. The floundering Mariners don't have much to lose by continuing to roll the pair out there, but perhaps they think they'd be best served by regaining some confidence in the minors.

Dustin Ackley has just two extra-base hits and 23 strikeouts in 73 at-bats this month. Ackley's season-long struggles continue. He's batting .243/.319/.338 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 69 games, and doesn't appear close to breaking through. But a demotion is not imminent. "I know he's frustrated right now," said M's skipper Eric Wedge. "He's going to be fine. He needs to recognize what's been going on for a period of time, and take that away from the opposition. That's what he has to do. We'll help him get there."

Dustin Ackley was dropped to seventh in Friday's lineup against the Giants. Ackley is hitting just .205 in June and .243 with a .606 OPS for the season, so Mariners manager Eric Wedge is trying something different. While Ichiro Suzuki remains in the leadoff spot, Franklin Gutierrez will bat second.

Dustin Ackley is not in Friday's lineup. Interesting timing for "Dustin Ackley Bobblehead Night." We're assuming it's just a routine day off. Kyle Seager will make the start at second base while Munenori Kawasaki plays shortstop and Alex Liddi plays third.

Dustin Ackley went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's loss to the Indians. The three-hit night prolongs Ackley's hitting streak to 12 games, though he's posted just two multi-hit efforts along the way. The home run was his third, and only his second since the Mariners' season opener in Japan. Seattle's leadoff hitter will bring a .262/.325/.383 triple slash into play on Thursday.