The D-Backs have designated 26-year old righty reliever Rafael Rodriguez for assignment. Rodriguez pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks last season and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. He also pitched in 10 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the D-Backs last season and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 9.00 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Rodriguez wasn’t very impressive last season after coming over as part of the Dan Haren deal with the Angels. They needed his roster spot for Armando Galarraga.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired 29-year old righty starting pitcher Armando Galarraga from the Tigers for 20-year old righty starting pitcher Kevin Eichhorn and 22-year old lefty reliever Ryan Robowski. Galarraga pitched in 25 games (24 starts) for the Tigers last season and he was 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has now pitched in 87 games (78 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 23-26 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Galarraga will get a chance to win a starting job this spring and at the very worst he will pitch out of the pen for the D-Backs. Kevin Eichhorn was the D-Backs’ #18 prospect heading into 2010 according to Baseball America. Eichhorn pitched in 15 games (all starts) in Rookie+A-ball last season and he was 5-6 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Robowski pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in A-ball last year and he was 2-4 with 2 saves, a 5.17 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. This was a good deal for the D-Backs because Galarraga will be able to help the D-Backs in 2011 while Eichhorn & Robowski might make it to the majors at some point down the road.

The Diamondbacks have signed 28-year old reliever/starter Micah Owings to a minor league deal. Owings pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Reds last season in which he was 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He has now pitched in 99 games (64 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 24-31 with 1 save, a 5.11 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Owings comes back to Arizona to pitch for the D-Backs who he pitched for in 2007 + 2008. In those two years, Owings pitched in 51 games (45 starts) in which he was 14-17 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Owings is a long shot for the D-Backs rotation next spring but he could easily win a job in the bullpen with a strong showing in spring training.

The D-Backs have signed 34-year old righty swinging infielder Cody Ransom to a minor league deal. Ransom played in 22 games for the Phillies last season and he was 8 of 42 (.190 avg, .578 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers, 5 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 219 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 69 of 304 (.227 avg, .702 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 9 homers, 39 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Ransom does have a hole in his swing though as he has whiffed 94 times already in the major league career. Ransom can play anywhere in the infield defensively but he’s still a longshot to make the D-Backs’ opening day roster.

The Diamondbacks have designated 25-year old righty reliever Daniel Stange for assignment. Stange pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs last season and he was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.50 WHIP. Stange also pitched in 49 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the D-Backs last season and he was 8-4 with 15 saves, a 3.58 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. If he clears waivers the D-Backs would likely want to keep him around in 2011 as long as he agrees to it.