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Seattle Mariners

Ichiro May Not Be Seattle's Lead-Off Hitter

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SEATTLE - Seattle manager Eric Wedge says he's leaning toward moving Ichiro Suzuki out of the leadoff spot as a way to improve the Mariners' anemic offense.

During the Mariners' pre-spring training luncheon on Thursday, Wedge said he's not completely set on moving Suzuki from the spot he's held since he arrived from Japan in 2001. Wedge said he's considered the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the Mariners batting order for Suzuki, while thinking about Dustin Ackley, Chone Figgins and Franklin Gutierrez as options for the leadoff role.

Suzuki is coming off the worst season of his career and is entering the final year of his contract with the Mariners. Suzuki hit .272 and failed to reach 200 hits for the first time in his career last season.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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