Tigers promote Keider Montero replacement with brutal Triple-A numbers

The Detroit Tigers have made another pair of roster moves in what has already been a busy week (and, yes, it's only Tuesday).

First, Detroit optioned Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo following Monday's loss to the San Diego Padres. That wasn't altogether surprising, as Montero's presence on the 26-man roster was meant to be a temporary measure to provide pitchers some extra rest with the Tigers slated to play 23 games in 24 days. The 24-year-old right-hander had a 7.71 ERA in his two starts, and the Tigers' upcoming off day on Thursday made it less important for him to be on the roster.

The corresponding move, however, was rather unexpected. The Tigers have called up right-handed reliever Chase Lee – who has a 6.75 ERA and 12 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings through six appearances with Triple-A Toledo this season – to take Montero's place on the active roster. That, folks, is what you call falling up!

Tigers promote Keider Montero replacement with brutal Triple-A numbers

The Tigers have been dealing with a number of bullpen injuries (hence the aforementioned busy week). Since Friday, Beau Brieske and John Brebbia have been placed on the 15-day injured list while Brenan Hanifee and Bailey Horn have been recalled from Triple-A.

Clearly, the Tigers could use some more bullpen depth in light of the recent injuries, but ... Lee? Really?

With all due respect, Lee's spot on Detroit's 40-man roster is more of a formality, as it was required in order for the Tigers to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this offseason after they acquired him from the Texas Rangers at last year's trade deadline as part of the Andrew Chafin deal. Lee, now 26, was drafted in the sixth round by the Rangers out of the University Alabama in 2021, and he still has yet to make his Major League debut.

As far as what the Tigers see in Lee that they deemed worthy of Rule 5 protection, his strikeout rate seems to be the only obvious answer.  He has struck out 31.4% of opponents while issuing walks at a respectable 8.1% clip. Over parts of five minor-league seasons, he has averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lee pitched well for Toledo down the stretch last year after the trade, but his early season ERA this year hardly screams "Major League-ready." Hopefully, his underlying numbers prevail, and he can be an effective bullpen option for the Tigers, because they can certainly use the help.

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