Tigers Get Good News on Veteran Bullpen Arm, But Option Rookie With 1.42 ERA

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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The Detroit Tigers swept a doubleheader from the hapless Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Thursday, raising their American League-best record to 25-13 — the second-best record in MLB, just a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers at 25-12.

The Rockies are the worst team in baseball, with only six wins in 37 games. But from the Tigers' point of view, winning a doubleheader by a combined score of 21-3 over any team is an accomplishment.

Detroit Tigers rookie pitcher Chase Lee.
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 08: Pitcher Chase Lee #53 of the Detroit Tigers throws against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Coors Field in game one of a double header on May 08,... Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

It would seem that most everything is going right for Detroit. The Bengals are off to a scorching start following their incredible late-season surge last year that carried them from a sub-.500 record in mid-August into the playoffs.

But the Tigers' situation is about to get better. Injured reliever John Brebbia, who had allowed just one earned run in nine innings before going on the injured list with a triceps strain, is now set to return to the big league club on Friday, according to a report by Evan Woodbury of the Detroit-area news site MLive.

To make room for the righty with the 1.00 ERA, the Tigers optioned 26-year-old rookie right-handed sidearmer Chase Lee to Triple-A Toledo. Lee, in 4 1/3 innings over five games before Thursday's action, had yet to allow a run — giving him an ERA of 0.00.

Lee, who made his major league debut on April 22, got the word that he was headed back to the minors between games of Thursday's doubleheader, after he pitched two innings in the first game and allowed his first big league run, raising his ERA to 1.42.

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Lee has an unusual origin story. In 2019, he made the Alabama baseball team as a walk-on, after previously quitting baseball to study aerospace engineering at the university.

His change of heart to give baseball a second try worked out. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers two years later, in the sixth round. After three years in the minor leagues, Texas traded Lee at last year's trade deadline to the Tigers with another prospect for reliever Andrew Chafin.

Less than one year later, Lee made his major league debut.

The Tigers called up outfielder Brewer Hicklen to take Lee's roster spot, but with Brebbia's anticipated return Friday, Hicklen is expected to be sent back down.

More MLB: Tigers Trade Idea Gets $3 Million Phillies Outfielder For 1.00 ERA Relief Arm

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more