Tigers now ready to trade Armando Galarraga

The Detroit Tigers appear ready to part ways with Armando Galarraga, the right-hander who missed a perfect game last season when an umpire’s wrong call cost him what would have been the final out.

In an odd procedural move, the Tigers designated Galarraga for assignment, almost immediately after agreeing to a $2.3 million, one-year contract with him. Detroit also finalized its one-year deal with Brad Penny, bumping Galarraga from the starting rotation.
Detroit has 10 days to make a move with Galarraga. If he isn’t traded, he could be sent to the minors.

Galarraga went 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA last year. By agreeing to a deal with the 29-year-old pitcher, the Tigers avoided salary arbitration.

Galarraga’s bid for a perfect game last June was one of the signature moments of the season. With two outs in the ninth inning, umpire Jim Joyce ruled that Cleveland’s Jason Donald was safe at first base. Joyce later admitted the call was wrong, and both he and Galarraga earned plaudits for handling the situation with class.