Cleto was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

The White Sox elected to drop Cleto from the 40-man roster after he was torched for 10 runs on 10 hits and six walks over 7.2 innings in the spring. Finding the strike zone has proven challenging to Cleto during his time in the upper levels of the minors, and until he's able to demonstrate better control, he doesn't figure to get a shot with the big club.

Cleto allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while only retiring one batter Saturday against the A's to bring his spring ERA to 11.74 in 7.2 innings.

The White Sox appreciate the potential of Cleto's arm, but he has been wildly inconsistent this spring (the high ERA, 10:6 K:BB). Still, his lack of minor league options should earn him at least a trial on the MLB roster to start the season.

Cleto's contract was purchased from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Cleto owned a 5.91 ERA and 50:15 K:BB ratio over 22 relief appearances in the International League. He'll likely serve in middle relief with the White Sox, and his stay could end up being short-lived if another roster spot is needed in the immediate future.

White Sox released RHP Maikel Cleto.

Cleto was removed from the 40-man roster in May and is now out of the organization altogether after posting a 6.53 ERA over 14 relief appearances at Triple-A Charlotte. He still throws in the upper 90s, so someone will give the 25-year-old a shot.

White Sox sent RHP Maikel Cleto outright to Triple-A Charlotte.

Cleto had been designated for assignment over the weekend, but he's cleared waivers and will remain in the organization. The hard-throwing righty held a 5.14 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 10/15 K/BB ratio over his 14 frames for the White Sox.

White Sox designated RHP Maikel Cleto for assignment.

The hard-throwing right-hander impressed early on, and was even in the conversation for saves for the White Sox, but posted a disappointing 5.14 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 10/15 K/BB ratio over his 14 frames. He'll look to latch on elsewhere.

Maikel Cleto and Daniel Webb both gave up two runs Thursday in relief against the Tigers.

It was a good day for Matt Lindstrom, and he didn't even take the mound. Cleto and Webb are the two candidates on the active roster to displace Lindstrom, and both hurt their cases in this one.

Maikel Cleto will throw a live batting practice session on Saturday.

The hard-throwing right-hander is expected to compete for a spot in a re-tooled White Sox bullpen this spring. He certainly has the stuff to be successful in the later innings, but needs to improve his command if he wants to have consistent success.

White Sox claimed RHP Maikel Cleto off waivers from the Royals.

Cleto was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this month. The 24-year-old has allowed 18 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings in the majors, but he throws hard and Chicago will try to harness his potential.

Royals designated RHP Maikel Cleto for assignment.

The move opened a 40-man roster spot for Jimmy Paredes, who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles. Cleto throws hard, but the 24-year-old righty has allowed 18 earned runs in 15 2/3 career major league innings.

Royals claimed RHP Maikel Cleto off waivers from the Cardinals.

Cleto has a fastball that can occasionally reach triple digits, but he rarely knows where it's going. The 24-year-old has put up a 6.92 ERA and 53/53 K/BB ratio over 53 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season. He's been assigned to Triple-A Omaha.

Cardinals optioned RHP Maikel Cleto to Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto allowed five earned runs over 2 1/3 innings Wednesday in a long relief appearance against the Diamondbacks. The hard-throwing righty owns a 10.34 career ERA.

Cardinals recalled RHP Maikel Cleto from Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto has just a 5.67 ERA in 13 appearances (six starts) with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate. The hard-throwing 24-year-old will provide bullpen depth.

Cardinals reassigned RHP Maikel Cleto, C Rob Johnson and INF Greg Garcia to minor league camp.

Cleto impressed this spring, posting a 1.35 ERA while striking out 10 over 6 2/3 innings, but he didn't have a real shot to crack the Opening Day roster. The hard-thrower should be up with the big club at some point this season, though.

Cardinals optioned RHP Maikel Cleto to Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto was demoted to make room for Trevor Rosenthal's promotion to the Cardinals. He'll return to a 4.50 ERA and 34/9 K/BB ratio over 26 innings at the Triple-A level.

Cardinals recalled RHP Maikel Cleto from Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto appeared in four games for the Cardinals earlier this month. He'll serve as a middle reliever initially, but has the velocity to project into a setup role

Cardinals optioned RHP Maikel Cleto to Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto appeared in just four games for the Cardinals, registering a poor 5.40 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over five innings of work. He has a live arm, but needs to refine his game in the minor leagues before he is ready to contribute full-time at the big league level.

The Cardinals will option Maikel Cleto back to the Triple-A level before Tuesday night's game.

Cleto has registered a poor 5.40 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in five innings of relief this season for the defending World Series champions. The 23-year-old can hit the upper-90s with his fastball but doesn't have the secondary stuff to be a successful major league reliever at this point.

Cardinals recalled RHP Maikel Cleto from Triple-A Memphis.

He'll take one of the roster spots vacated by Brandon Dickson and Chuckie Fick, who were optioned to the minors Thursday. The Cards will make another move Friday. Cleto, 23, has a 4.50 ERA and 34/9 K/BB ratio over 26 innings at the Triple-A level this year. The hard-throwing right-hander will likely be used in a middle relief role.

Cardinals optioned RHP Maikel Cleto to Triple-A Memphis.

Cleto allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League action this spring. The hard-throwing right-hander will function as organizational relief depth this year for the defending World Series champions.