Chase Lee, a standout former relief pitcher for the Alabama Crimson Tide, made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in a 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. Lee's performance was remarkable, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out Mason McCoy in the ninth inning. A sixth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in the 2021 MLB Draft, Lee had spent his early career there before being traded to the Tigers, where he had made six appearances in Triple-A Toledo.

During his collegiate career from 2019-2021, Lee was instrumental in the Crimson Tide’s bullpen, boasting a stellar 1.87 ERA with a 9-0 record and a 94:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His transition to the majors has been highly anticipated, reflecting his strong developmental trajectory in professional baseball.

The Detroit Tigers are preparing for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft by making key roster changes. They have designated three players for assignment: infielder Eddys Leonard and relief pitchers Ricky Vanasco and Brendan White, allowing them to be eligible for selection by other teams.

In exchange, the Tigers have added right-handed pitchers Chase Lee, Tyler Mattison, and Tyler Owens to their 40-man roster, protecting them from the draft. Lee, in particular, has shown promise with a strong strikeout rate and solid ERA in the minor leagues.

The Rule 5 Draft is set for December 11 during the Winter Meetings in Dallas, where teams will look to bolster their rosters.