Cincinnati Reds sign Armando Galarraga

The Cincinnati Reds have signed free agent right-hander Armando Galarraga to a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Galarraga started five games for the Houston Astros last season. Over 24 innings pitched, the right-hander allowed 20 runs on 28 hits with 18 walks and 17 strikeouts. The 31-year-old spent a majority of the season with Houston's low- and Triple-A clubs, maintaining a combined ERA of 3.97 over 10 starts with 5.9 strikeouts and 3.8 walks per nine innings.

Galarraga was once considered a solid prospect and eventually broke onto the MLB scene with the Detroit Tigers in 2008. That season he posted a 3.73 ERA over 30 appearances, including 28 starts, spanning 178 2/3 innings with 6.3 strikeouts and 3.1 walks per nine innings.

Unfortunately for Galarraga and the Tigers, the right-hander was unable to maintain this production. Over his next two seasons with the club he only managed a 5.06 ERA, and in parts of six seasons at the major league level he's maintained an ERA of 4.78.