Mariners to use Rickie Weeks in outfield

With a new organization comes the possibility of a new position for Rickie Weeks.

After spending the first 11 years of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers playing second base, Weeks agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners this offseason, and his new team has him in uncharted territory early on in spring training.

"It brought me back to high school," Weeks told Jose M. Romero of the Associated Press. "That was the last time I played outfield fully."

Weeks has exclusively been a second baseman in the majors, logging 1,044 games there since getting his feet wet as a 20-year-old in 2003. Manager Lloyd McClendon, though, is looking to use the former All-Star in a super utility role with stops at second base, third base, left field and possibly first base.

"I've watched Rickie for the last three days," McClendon said Friday. "I've been fairly impressed with the way he's moving around out there. Listen, I made the transition from catcher to (outfield). Rickie is certainly a much better athlete than I ever was. I don't see the major concern that most people see. I think he's going to adapt real easily."