The Mariners made a flurry of moves Friday to put their 40-man roster in order, but they did nothing that was more surprising than to talk about moving top June draft pick Dustin Ackley from the outfield to second base.

That pronouncement, by general manager Jack Zduriencik, came after the Mariners lost pitcher Chris Jakubauskas and Tacoma Rainiers right-hander Robert Manuel to waiver claims.

By day's end, the Mariners' 40-man roster stood at 37, with six minor leaguers added — but Zduriencik knew the focus would be on Ackley, the left-handed hitting prospect out of University of North Carolina.

"Our philosophy is to let players play multiple positions in the minor leagues," Zduriencik said. "It just gives you options and gives you more information to make a quality decision.

"The idea came from his college coach."

A shortstop in high school, an outfielder/first baseman in college, Ackley has been taking ground balls at second base for the past month in the Arizona Fall League.

Ackley hasn't played second in a game, and he won't because the Fall League's season ends today. Zduriencik said Ackley will return to Arizona in January — a month before spring training — to get more work at the position.

"We don't know where this will take us, but it is philosophical," the GM said. "You don't want to ask a player to play a position for the first time in the major leagues. The minors is where you take a look."

In early workouts, Mariners coaches in Arizona say, Ackley has taken naturally to a position currently held by Jose Lopez.

While no permanent decision on Ackley's future has been made, the team clearly thinks the more positions he plays, the quicker a path to the big leagues will open up for him.

As far as the Mariners' roster moves, there were plenty:

The Mariners added outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, right-handed pitchers Danny Cortes, Ricky Orta, J.C. Ramirez and Anthony Varvaro and left-hander Edward Paredes to the roster.

Left-hander Ryan Feierabend and right-hander Sean White were taken off the 60-day disabled list, and infielder Josh Wilson was outrighted to Tacoma.

Jakubauskas (Pirates) and Manuel (Red Sox) were claimed off waivers after being taken off Seattle's 40-man roster.