The Toronto Blue Jays added another arm to their bullpen mix on Wednesday, claiming right-hander Mickey Storey off waivers from the Houston Astros.
With the move the Blue Jays 40-man roster is now full.
The 26-year-old Storey made his major-league debut with the Astros last August after veteran reliever Francisco Cordero was placed on the disabled list. In 26 games with Houston (all in relief), Storey posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.220 WHIP over 30.1 innings while averaging 10.1 strikeouts per nine.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Storey throws a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup.
“I don’t throw very hard, but I go after guys the best I can and get a good mix in,” the newspaper quoted Storey last August.
The addition of Storey provides the Blue Jays with some depth to a bullpen that will enter 2013 with a few question marks.
Left-hander Darren Oliver is still undecided as to whether he will return in 2013 or retire, while potential closers Sergio Santos and Casey Janssen both underwent surgical procedures on their throwing shoulders in 2012.
Storey held major league left-handed batters to a .167/.231/.222/.453 line in 41 plate appearances in 2012, compared to .269/.337/.449/.786 for those hitting from the right side.
The Boca Raton, FL native was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 22nd round in 2007, but he did not sign. A year later he signed with the Oakland Athletics after being selected in the 31st round.
Prior to being called up by the Astros in August, Storey made 38 appearances with the triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks in the Pacific Coast League, posting a 3.05 ERA and 1.169 WHIP while averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
