With the Detroit Tigers dealing with a taxed bullpen, they made a move for some reinforcements on Tuesday afternoon. Starting pitcher Keider Montero, who spelled the rotation as the sixth man the last two turns through, has been optioned back to Triple-A Toledo. In his place, the Tigers have called up right-handed reliever Chase Lee.
The Tigers acquired the sidearming 26-year-old in a deadline trade last July with the Texas Rangers. He was originally drafted by the Rangers back in the 2021 amateur draft as their sixth round selection. The Tigers added him to the 40-man roster and protected him from December’s Rule 5 draft, and Lee acquitted himself decently in spring training other than one outing where he surrendered a flurry of home runs.