Rockies select right-hander RJ Petit from Tigers in Rule 5 draft at winter meetings

ORLANDO Fla AP Colorado selected right-hander RJ Petit from Detroit on Wednesday with the first of picks in the Rule draft of unprotected players left off -man major league rosters Now Petit was taken by the Tigers in the th round of the amateur draft and was - with a ERA in two starts and relief appearances this year for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo He struck out and walked in innings Petit is - with a ERA and saves in five starts and relief appearances over five minor league seasons Players who sign when they are under years old are exposed to the Rule draft if they are not on a -man roster after their fifth season Players or older at the time of their first professional contract are exposed after their fourth season Teams pay to take a sportsman in the major league portion The players must stay on the big league roster all of next season or clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for Only teams without full -man rosters can make selections Also picked were right-hander Jedixson Paez Colorado from Boston right-hander Griff McGarry Washington from Philadelphia catcher Daniel Susac Minnesota from Athletics catcher Carter Baumler Pittsburgh from Baltimore right-hander Ryan Watson Athletics from San Francisco right-hander Matthew Pushard St Louis from Miami right-hander Roddery Mu oz Houston from Cincinnati right-hander Peyton Pallette Cleveland from Chicago White Sox right-hander Spencer Miles Toronto from San Francisco right-hander Cade Winquest New York Yankees from St Louis right-hander Zach McCambley Philadelphia from Miami and right-hander Alexander Alberto White Sox from Tampa Bay Three players were promptly flipped to other teams Baumler was traded to Texas for right-hander Jaiker Garcia and cash Susac was sent to San Francisco for catcher Miguel Caraballo and cash as the Twins waived outfielder Carson McCusker and Watson was dealt to Boston for infielder Justin Riemer and cash An additional players were selected in the Triple-A phase Eight of major league picks last December stayed with their new organizations including Toronto right-hander Angel Bastardo who spent the entire season on the injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery Right-hander Shane Smith was selected by the Chicago White Sox from Milwaukee with the first pick last December and became an All-Star He went - with a ERA in starts for the White Sox who had the worst record in the American League at - Catcher Liam Hicks picked second by Miami from Detroit hit with six homers and RBIs for the Marlins while making starts at catcher at first base and at designated hitter AP MLB https apnews com MLB Source