EXCLUSIVE

Deen Castronovo -- the current drumer for Journey -- was arrested for assault after an early morning domestic dispute ... TMZ has learned.

Salem Oregon PD tells us they got called to a home ... which they believe was Castronovo's ... around 9 AM Sunday. Police entered the home and arrested him without incident. It's still unclear who else was involved in the incident.

Castronovo was booked for assault, coercion, and menacing. He's been released on bail.

Castronovo was also arrested in Oregon in 2012 for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.