Duffy released, Garcia optioned, Burke i.l.’d

Texas Rangers transactions: Brock Burke was placed on the 60 day injured list today, the Rangers announced, removing him from the 40 man roster. In addition, the Rangers optioned outfielder Adolis Garcia and released infielder Matt Duffy.

Burke and Garcia are the first Rangers roster moves in 93 days — since the team optioned Scott Heineman and Taylor Hearn in late March. The Burke transaction was pretty much expected, given that it was announced in the spring he would miss the season due to shoulder surgery. Garcia, meanwhile, is a project with options remaining who isn’t likely to see significant major league time this year.

The one kind of surprising move was the decision to release Duffy. The former Tampa Bay Ray and San Francisco Giant came to camp on a minor league deal and seemed to provide some decent infield insurance, with the possibility of playing third base if the Rangers opted to put Todd Frazier at first base. However, given Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s impressive camp, I suspect the Rangers feel that Duffy was low enough in the pecking order that he was unlikely to make the team, and Duffy either opted out, requested his release, or was simply cut loose.