The Seattle Mariners have sent second overall draft choice Dustin Ackley to the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, where the impressive 22-year-old will likely begin his first full professional season.

In August, the Mariners and Ackley agreed on a five-year major league contract worth $7.5 million. Seattle has since tried the sweet-swinging former first baseman and outfielder at North Carolina at second base.

He had three hits in 19 at-bats (a .158 batting average) with three RBIs and one error in 10 spring games.

The Mariners have said they expect Ackley to reach the major leagues soon, though he was expected to begin this season in the minors.

Hamilton's hand OK: Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton's left hand is OK after being hit by a pitch. Now he has a toothache.

Hamilton arrived at the Rangers' clubhouse Tuesday morning with a swollen face and then went to the dentist for what is believed to be an infected tooth.

Hamilton was hit by a pitch on the top of his left hand in Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants. X-rays did not show any major injury.

Smoltz takes spot in booth: John Smoltz is embarking on a career as an analyst for Turner Broadcasting and the MLB Network, although he's not ready to say he has thrown his final major league pitch.

"At this point, I'm not officially prepared to say I'm done," said Smoltz, 42. "But that may not mean anything to the degree that makes me play either."

Towers joins Yankees' front office: Former San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers has been hired as a special assignment scout by the New York Yankees.

Towers was fired by the Padres during the final weekend of the 2009 season after 14 years as their GM.

Towers will scout professional leagues and amateur players and evaluate the Yankees' minor league system.

Howard hits first spring homer: Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the spring, and highly touted Domonic Brown connected twice as Philadelphia topped Detroit 6-1 Tuesday at Clearwater, Fla.

Mauer returns: Minnesota star Joe Mauer got two hits in his return from a four-day absence as the Orioles beat the Twins 3-1 Tuesday. Mauer had been out while resting a sore right shoulder.

Nationals break through: Washington, which led the majors last season with 103 losses, ended an 0-11 skid Tuesday with two split-squad victories.

Knoblauch pleads guilty: Former major-leaguer Chuck Knoblauch has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault on his common-law wife.