SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have demoted struggling second baseman Dustin Ackley to Triple-A Tacoma, the second young prospect the team has sent down in the last week.
Seattle made the move before Monday’s game against the San Diego Padres. The Mariners selected rising prospect Nick Franklin from Tacoma to take Ackley’s spot on the roster. Seattle also optioned left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge to Tacoma and recalled right-hander Hector Noesi.
Ackley joins Jesus Montero as young players the Mariners were counting on this season who will try to rediscover themselves at the plate in the minors. Ackley was batting.205 and had just six hits since May 7, when his average was at its season high of .255.
Franklin was hitting .324 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 39 games with Tacoma.
