Tigers Designate Galarraga For Assignment  —  One day after agreeing to terms with him on a $2.3MM contract for 2011, the Tigers have designated Armando Galarraga for assignment.  The team announced the move on Twitter, while making its deal with Brad Penny official.

Papelbon, Ellsbury avoid salary arbitration  —  Closer, center fielder ink one-year contracts with Red Sox  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox avoided arbitration with closer Jonathan Papelbon and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, agreeing to one-year pacts with both players on Tuesday.

Jon Heyman>DAILY SCOOP  —  More ColumnsEmail Jon HeymanFollow Jon Heyman on  —  Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod deal (cont.)  —  Yankees won't be Sori about big set-up expense  —  The Yankees gave Rafael Soriano a $35-million, three-year contract with two opt-out options to be their set-up man.

Gil Meche announces retirement  —  “After a lot of thinking and prioritizing of issues in my life I have decided to retire from baseball.  As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore.

Indians, Shin-Soo Choo agree to deal  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo worth $3,975,000, avoiding salary arbitration with their best player.  —  The Indians also finalized a $2.25 million, one-year contract with closer Chris Perez …

Dodgers, outfielder Marcus Thames agree on a deal  —  He's likely to platoon in left field with Jay Gibbons.  Club is also close to signing outfielder Gabe Kapler.  —  Staff and wire reports  —  The Dodgers went into spring training last year with Manny Ramirez in left field …

Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal  —  The Mets and free-agent RHP Chris Young have agreed to a deal, but it will not be officially announced until he's completed a physical, according to ESPN New York, the New York Times, Daily News, Bergen Record, New York Post and Newsday.

Nationals avoid arbitration with Doug Slaten, Michael Morse  —  The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with left-handed reliever Doug Slaten by reaching an agreement on a one-year contract worth $695,000 plus incentives, according to a league source.  Slaten will make a $5,000 bonus once …

White Sox avoid arbitration with three  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with pitcher John Danks, outfielder Carlos Quentin and relief pitcher Tony Pena on Tuesday by agreeing to one-year deals with each.  —  Danks and the White Sox agreed to a $6 million deal …

Rafael Palmeiro doesn't pass the test  —  It would be nice to ignore steroid controversy in HOF voting, but it would be wrong  —  For years, Rafael Palmeiro ducked the phone calls, ignored the messages, stayed out of the public eye and hoped that perhaps people would forgive and forget.

Astros avoid arbitration with Bourn, Barmes, Keppinger  —  The Astros have avoided arbitration with outfielder Michael Bourn and infielders Clint Barmes and Jeff Keppinger, signing them all to one-year contracts.  —  Bourn was signed to a $4.4 million deal.

Jeter getting early start in effort to get back in the swing of things … The rest of Derek Jeter's career begins next week.  Coming off the worst of his 15 seasons and an ugly contract negotiation with the Yankees, Jeter will step into the batting cage with New York hitting coach Kevin Long …