Hinch is Arizona’s manager

After firing Bob Melvin, the Arizona Diamondbacks have turned their fortunes over to a 34-year-old former catcher with no experience as a manager.

A.J. Hinch was introduced as Melvin’s replacement as manager Friday at a news conference, where General Manager Josh Byrnes acknowledged the hiring was “unconventional.”

“He brings unique leadership and perspective to the job,” Byrnes said. “We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, but to change the nature of the job a little bit? OK, we’ll do that. A.J.’s a leader. He connects with people. He gets things done.”

Hinch was in his fourth season as the Diamondbacks’ director of player development.

Hinch, who gets a contract through 2012, has known many of the Arizona players as they worked their way through the minor league system.

“I feel a part of each and every one of them,” he said. “I’ve been involved in different aspects throughout their career so far, and I think that’s to their advantage and I think that’s to my advantage.”

The Diamondbacks also promoted Mel Stottlemyre Jr. to pitching coach and Jack Howell to hitting coach. Arizona pitching coach Bryan Price resigned and hitting coach Rick Schu was fired.

Etc.

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis joined his Detroit Tigers teammates for the first time since going on the disabled list because of anxiety disorder in spring training. Willis is slated to start on Wednesday. . . . The Florida Marlins put right-hander Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right shoulder. . . . The Oakland Athletics acquired infielder Adam Kennedy from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named. . . . The Baltimore Orioles traded utility player Ryan Freel to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Joey Gathright.