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Dodgers protect pitching trio from Rule 5 Draft

Prospects Baez, Garcia and Martin added to club's 40-man roster before deadline

The Dodgers selected the contracts of pitching prospects Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia and Jarret Martin on Wednesday, adding them to the 40-man roster and thus protecting them from being selected in December's Rule 5 Draft.

The club also announced that it has signed catcher J.C. Boscan, infielders Brendan Harris and Clint Robinson, and left-hander Daniel Moskos to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

Baez, 25, was converted from infielder to pitcher prior to the 2013 season and posted a 3.88 ERA in 48 appearances for Class A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga.

The 23-year-old Garcia -- ranked 12th in the Dodgers' system by MLB.com -- had a 2.54 ERA with 19 saves while en route to being a Double-A Southern League All-Star in 2013, limiting opponents to a .164 batting average while striking out 85 and walking 14 in 60 1/3 innings.

Martin, a 24-year-old left-hander, had a 4.62 ERA in 29 games (14 starts) at Rancho Cucamonga, then posted a 1.69 mark in 11 appearances after a late-season promotion to Chattanooga.

Baez, Garcia and Martin all took part in the Arizona Fall League.

Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be selected by other organizations through the Rule 5 Draft process. Players signed at 19 years or older have to be protected within four seasons.

Clubs pay $50,000 to select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, slated to take place on Dec. 12, the final day of the Winter Meetings. If that player doesn't stay on the 25-man roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

The Dodgers' 40-man roster is now at 34 players.

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez.
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