Rangers pick up Garko, option Ramirez

Updated: April 1, 2010, 6:37 PM ET
By Richard Durrett | ESPNDallas.com

Texas claimed infielder Ryan Garko off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, completing the Rangers' 40-man roster.

The 29-year-old Garko, who will make $550,000 this season, hit .268 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs last season. He likely will fill out the team's 25-man roster as a backup corner infielder to Chris Davis, a spot that Matt Brown and Max Ramirez had been competing for.

As a result, Ramirez has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chris Davis will start at first base for the Rangers, and Michael Young is the incumbent at third.

Garko was put on waivers Tuesday by the Mariners, who kept Mike Sweeney as their backup to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

Garko appeared in 15 games for Seattle this spring, batting .220 with a home run and four RBIs.

In five seasons, primarily as a designated hitter and first baseman with the Cleveland Indians, Garko has a career .279 average with 55 home runs and 247 RBI.

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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