Yankees claim Mickey Storey, sign David Herndon

In two minor moves, the New York Yankees have claimed right-hander Mickey Storey off of waivers from the Houston Astros and signed right-hander David Herndon to a one-year split contract, the Yankees and Herdon’s agent have announced:

#Yankees claim RHP Mickey Storey off waivers from Astros. RHP Dave Herndon elects free agency over outright to Triple-A.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 20, 2012

David herndon clears waivers signs 1 year deal w yankees 750k/180k split a 50k incentives due back mlb ready june 1

— Joshua Kusnick (@39ontheline) November 20, 2012

Storey, 26, got his first shot at the big leagues last year with the Astros, posting a solid 3.86 ERA and 10.1 K/9 rate in thirty and a third innings over twenty-six appearances. A late-round pick by Oakland in 2007, the right-hander has shown the ability to miss bats at every professional level, and could find his way into the Yankees' bullpen come spring.

Herndon, 27, has been moved around on waivers twice in the last month, making his way from the Phillies to the Blue Jays to the Yankees. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year but is expected to be back on a mound by June of 2013. Herndon pitched in parts of three seasons for the Phillies, posting a 3.85 ERA and 5.8 K/9 rate in one hundred seventeen innings.

Herndon will make $180k if he remains in the minors all year, but that salary will be bumped up to $750k if he makes the big-league club at any point.