Yankees News: Six prospects added to 40-man roster, News Corp. buys equity stake in YES Network

The New York Yankees added six players to their 40-man roster Tuesday, thus protecting them from being selected in December’s Rule 5 Draft. The roster moves were in addition to the bigger news of signing Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year $15 million contract.

Mickey Storey was claimed off waivers from the Houston Astros Tuesday and took a spot on the team’s 40-man roster. (Image: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

Rehabbing southpaw Manny Banuelos (Tommy John surgery) and outfielder Ramon Flores were required to be placed on the 40-man roster due to Major League regulations which stipulate that any player who signed his first professional contract turning 19 and has been in the organization for five years, or who signed after age 19 and has been in the organization for four years, is eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft if left unprotected.

Also placed on the 40-man roster was right-hander Mickey Storey, who the Yankees claimed off waivers Tuesday from the Houston Astros, fellow righties Brett Marshall and Jose Ramirez plus lefties Francisco Rondon and Nik Turley.

Storey, 26, made his MLB debut with Houston and ended up appearing in 26 games for the Astros. He finished with a 3.86 ERA.

Flores, 20, hit .302 with Single-A Tampa in 131 games.

Marshall, 22, pitched for Double-A Trenton recording 13 wins and a 3.52 ERA.

Rondon, 24, moved up the ladder quickly this season. He went 5-0 with one save in 44 appearances spanning three levels, ending up at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Ramirez, 22, went 7-6 with a 3.19 ERA in 21 games (18 starts) for Tampa.

David Herndon, who was recently claimed off waivers, will be a free agent after rejecting an outright assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

You can view the entire 40-man roster here. As of now it stands at 39 until Kuroda is officially signed and added.

News Corporation buys equity stake in YES Network

News Corporation will become a 49 percent owner of the YES Network pending MLB approval according to a statement made Tuesday. Part of the announcement included word that the network will feature Yankees’ games through the 2042 season. YES also televises Brooklyn Nets basketball and college athletics in addition to original programming. News Corp. could control up to 80 percent of the network after three years. Hal Steinbrenner made a statement which included a reference to the Yankees longstanding commitment to fielding a championship team as part of their majority stake in the ballclub.

"We are excited to have News Corporation as a partner. Its stature and acumen in sports broadcasting on a global scale is unmatched. We look forward to the many opportunities for growth and development that this investment by News Corporation will bring to YES. The Steinbrenner family expects to have a continuing, long-term ownership stake in the YES Network, and we will continue our yearly commitment of fielding a championship caliber team for decades to come."

Staff writer Alex Pugliese isn’t so sure this has other implications down the road. Be sure to check out her post later today on the Yankees ownership.