Mariners' Weeks to serve as backup 1st baseman

If Rickie Weeks wants to earn his playing time, he's going to have to learn a pair of new positions this spring.

Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told reporters Monday that he expects Weeks to form the right side of a left field platoon with Dustin Ackley this season, but also suggested he'll serve as Logan Morrison's primary backup at first base. He'll compete with Willie Bloomquist for the majority of at-bats behind Morrison at first.

Weeks, who signed as a free agent this winter after spending 11 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, has never played a position other than second base during his career. The 32-year-old veteran refused to learn the outfield after losing his starting second base job with the Brewers last summer. 

He responded to the demotion by producing his best OBP and slugging rates since 2011, mostly against left-handed pitching.

Weeks figures to at least help improve Seattle's struggles versus southpaws, after posting an .865 OPS with seven homers in 155 plate appearances against that side. The Mariners hit .240 with a .636 OPS against lefties last season.