Martin active, Garcia up, Leody optioned

Texas Rangers transactions: Brett Martin, lefthanded relief pitcher, has been activated from the COVID-19 injured list today, and outfielder Adolis Garcia has been recalled from the Alternate Training Site, the Rangers announced today. To clear a spot on the 30 man roster and the 40 man roster for Martin, Corey Kluber was placed on the 45 day injured list, and to clear a spot on the 30 man roster for Garcia, Leody Taveras was optioned.

Martin missed the start of summer camp due to COVID-19, and was on the COVID list to start the season as he worked back to game shape. He was expected not to miss much time, so his return is not unexpected, although it may have been motivated this quickly in part due to Kolby Allard moving from the bullpen to the rotation to replace Corey Kluber. Martin and Joe Palumbo are now the only lefthanders in the bullpen.

I don’t know what is up with replacing Leody with Garcia. Leody made the team as a defensive replacement and pinch running option, though he had a strong camp in general. Garcia is a project with a lot of raw power and tools. Why the Rangers would swap them out at this point isn’t clear to me.

Also “Alternate Training Site,” with the capitalizations, is what John Blake referred to it as.

UPDATE — Per Evan Grant, the Rangers brought up Garcia because they want another righthanded bat with the lefties that the Rangers are due to be facing.