D-backs acquire RHP Armando Galarraga

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski.

“We are excited about the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Armando Galarraga’s ability a few weeks before the start of Spring Training,” D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers said. “Armando is a quality pitcher as well as individual that will compete for a spot in our rotation with all of the other starting pitchers this spring.”

Galarraga, 29, was 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA, 51 walks and 74 strikeouts in 25 games for the Tigers in 2010.

“Everybody’s going to fight for those five spots. I see myself in the starting rotation,” said Galarraga.

He is best known for something that didn’t happen, rather than something that did. On June 2 when the Tigers took on the Cleveland Indians his pursuit of a perfect game was ruined with one out to go.

“I thought Armando handled that very, very well. He handled that like a professional. That shows you a little bit about his character,” Towers said.

“[Umpire Jim Joyce] apologized a couple hours later and we tried to turn the page and just keep going,” Galarraga said.

In his four Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers (2007) and Tigers (2008-10), he posted a 23-26 record with a 4.58 ERA, 186 walks and 291 strikeouts. His best season in the bigs was 2008 when he had a 13-7 record and 3.73 ERA.

“I pitched in Arizona in 2008 and [Chase Field] is a beautiful stadium. It’s a pitching stadium. I’m looking forward to doing my job to help the team and to have a great season,” Galarraga said.

Eichhorn, 20, had a combined 5-6 record and 5.00 ERA with 18 walks and 81 strikeouts in 15 starts for Single-A Advanced Visalia. Robowski, 22, posted a 2-4 record and 5.17 ERA with 16 walks and 51 strikeouts in 35 relief appearances for Single-A Advanced Visalia last season. Follow @AZSports