NEW YORK — Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox, sending him to a contending team and giving Toronto financial flexibility.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi announced the move Monday night, about 30 minutes before the Blue Jays were scheduled to play the New York Yankees. Rios was in the initial starting lineup when he learned the news.
Toronto did not receive any compensation for the two-time All-Star, who is batting .264 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs in 108 games.
The 28-year-old Rios signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jays in April 2008 that guarantees him $69,835,000.
Chicago began the night three games back of the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.