Sox protect four from Rule 5 Draft

The White Sox made a host of roster moves Thursday afternoon in preparation for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, maxing their 40-man roster.

Right-hander Frankie Montas, infielders Rangel Ravelo and Tyler Saladino and catcher Kevan Smith all had their contracts purchased, while Chicago also claimed left-hander Onelki Garcia off waivers from the Dodgers.

Outfielder Jared Mitchell, the club's first-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte, while right-handed reliever Ronald Belisario was designated for assignment.

Montas, the club's No. 3 prospect per MLB.com, was 5-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 15 starts last season for the Arizona League White Sox, Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. The 21-year-old was acquired in the 2013 non-waiver Trade Deadline deal involving outfielder Avisail Garcia.

Ravel, 22, hit .309 with 37 doubles and 11 home runs last season at Double-A, earning Southern League All-Star and Barons Player of the Year honors.

Saladino hit .310 with 16 doubles and nine homers for Triple-A Charlotte last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. The 25-year-old is expected to be healthy by Spring Training.

Smith spent all of last season at Double-A, where the 26-year-old hit .290 with 21 doubles and 10 homers. He also threw out 33 percent of would-be base stealers.

The 25-year-old Garcia made just one appearance for the Dodgers' Class A affiliate this season after recovering from November 2013 arthroscopic left elbow surgery. He posted a 2.90 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 62 innings while in the Minors in 2013 and also made his Major League debut with the Dodgers.

Mitchell hit .256 with 13 doubles and 19 home runs in 120 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. The White Sox selected him No. 23 overall in the 2009 Draft, but he struggled after injuring his left ankle in 2010 at Spring Training.

Belisario had a tough first year with the White Sox in 2014, going 4-8 with a 5.56 ERA in relief.