DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers announced that they have acquired righthanded pitchers Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee from the Texas Rangers in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Andrew Chafin.
Lee, 25, has made 11 appearances, including one start, between the ACL Rangers and Triple A Round Rock, combining to go 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA (14.0IP/3ER) and 18 strikeouts. In 2023, Lee spent the entire season with Round Rock, going 3-4 with four saves, a 3.98 ERA (63.1IP/28ER) and 87 strikeouts. He was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending May 21.
Originally selected by Texas in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, Lee has made 122 appearances, including five starts, over four professional seasons, compiling a 6-7 record with 14 saves, a 3.79 ERA (149.2IP/63ER) and 203 strikeouts.
Montalvo, 22, has started 13 games with Single A Hickory this season and is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA (59.0IP/16ER) and 73 strikeouts. Among South Atlantic League pitchers with at least 55.0 innings, he ranks second with a 2.44 ERA, 10th with a 29.9 strikeout rate, 11th with a 3.84 strikeout-to-walk ratio, 12th with 11.14 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and 14th with a 1.14 WHIP. He was named SAL Pitcher of the Month for May, going 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA (25.2IP/4ER) and 32 strikeouts in five starts.
Selected by the Rangers in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Central Pointe Christian (FL), Montalvo has made 35 appearances, including 30 starts, as a professional and has an 11-4 record with a 2.68 ERA (154.1IP/46ER) and 180 strikeouts. In 2023, he was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 30.
Chafin, 34, has made 41 appearances with the Tigers this season, posting a 3-2 record with one save, a 3.16 ERA (37.0IP/13ER) and 50 strikeouts.
