Dodgers option newly acquired Darwin Barney to triple-A

Apparently Darwin Barney really was acquired for insurance purposes.

Barney, who was somewhat conspicuously absent from Dodger Stadium Tuesday after the Dodgers swung the deal with the Cubs early Monday, has been optioned to triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers completed their trade with the Cubs Wednesday by sending Chicago Class A right-hander Jonathan Martinez.

Manager Don Mattingly indicated Tuesday the Dodgers envisioned Barney, a 2012 Gold Glove winner at second base, being able to play third and short. Guess he’ll master his new utility role at Albuquerque.

That, of course, is also where utility man Chone Figgins is 18 games into his rehab for a strained quadriceps. Can never have too many veteran infielders in waiting.

Martinez, 20, was 7-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 19 starts for Great Lakes, the Dodgers’ lower level Class A team. It’s his fourth season with the Dodgers after signing as a free agent out of Venezuela, so it’s not like they surrendered some major prospect.