Sox add five to 40-man roster, DFA Ronald Belisario, outright Jared Mitchell to Charlotte

The White Sox have announced their moves to protect players from the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings next month.  With the 40-man roster at 37 this morning, there was only room for three more unless other moves were made.  The Sox ended up protecting five and removing two from the 40-man roster.  Here's the moves.

• designated Ronald Belisario for assignment
• outrighted outfielder Jared Mitchell to AAA Charlotte Knights
• purchased the contracts of catcher Kevan Smith, shortstop Tyler Saladino, right-handed pitcher Frank Montas, and first baseman Rangel Ravelo
• claimed left-handed pitcher Onelki Garcia off waivers from the Dodgers

Mitchell, the Sox 2009 first round pick, finally seemed to have turned a corner at the end of last season.  There was even speculation that he'd be in Chicago for September.  For now, it seems that this is over.

Ronald Belisario ends his White Sox career after a single season.  As Rick Hahn mentioned in his interview with Jim, he was kind of a tough luck case.  While his ERA was 5.56, his FIP was a decent 3.69.  A lot of his earned runs came after he was pulled from a game based on his -1.5 LOB-Wins.  At a point though, you have to wonder if someone is unlucky or not that good.  It seems the Sox have decided on the later.

Onelki Garcia had progress quickly through the Dodgers system, pitching in the majors in 2013 after being drafted in 2012.  He missed almost all of last year after having arthroscopic elbow surgery after pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2013.

Smith, Saladino, Montas, and Ravelo were all detailed in larry's article mentioned this morning.

With these moves, the Sox 40-man roster stands at 40.