Tigers Call Up Chase Lee Amid Bullpen Crisis

DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Tigers made a roster change on Tuesday as they faced a taxed bullpen. Starting pitcher Keider Montero was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo, and right-handed reliever Chase Lee was called up to the big league roster.

Lee, a 26-year-old sidearming pitcher, was acquired in a trade last July from the Texas Rangers. As a sixth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft, he has demonstrated a unique pitching style. The Tigers protected him from the Rule 5 draft earlier this year after he made a strong impression in spring training.

In his minor league career, Lee has maintained a strikeout rate of 30.2 percent while keeping walks under control. Despite a 6.75 ERA with the Toledo Mud Hens, his underlying statistics suggest he could be an effective addition to the bullpen.

The Tigers are dealing with injuries to key relief pitchers, including Beau Brieske and John Brebbia, who were recently placed on the injured list. Manager A.J. Hinch expressed optimism about Lee’s potential role, hoping that he can contribute during this stretch of games.

“We could certainly use the help in the bullpen,” Hinch said. “Chase gives us another option, and we’re excited to see what he can do.”

Despite Montero showing promise in his starts, the decision to option him to Toledo was strategic, allowing the Tigers to manage their pitching staff more effectively during a busy schedule of 23 games in 24 days.

As for Lee, Tuesday marks a significant milestone, as it will be his Major League debut. He will be wearing jersey No. 53 when he takes the mound for the Tigers. “This is a dream come true for me,” Lee said. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and I’m ready to help the team.”

The Tigers are hopeful that Lee’s performance will alleviate some of the pressures on their injured bullpen, helping the team maintain its competitive edge in the early part of the season.