Blue Jays acquire Lee

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired right-hander Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays

December 12, 2025

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for LHP Johan Simon.

Lee, 27, appeared in 32 games for the Tigers in 2025 in his rookie campaign, posting a 4.10 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP, a 6.1% walk rate, and a 24.3% strikeout rate. The right-hander featured the fourth-lowest release height (3.75 ft.) in the Majors (min. 500 pitches), including the third-lowest among right-handed pitchers, behind only Tyler Rogers (1.3 ft.) and Ryan Thompson (3.66 ft.). The Birmingham, Ala., native was selected by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Alabama, before being dealt to Detroit at the 2024 trade deadline. Lee has made 163 career minor league appearances (five starts) between the Rangers and Tigers systems, recording a 4.13 ERA with 275 strikeouts in 204 2/3 innings.

Simon, 24, split his 2025 season between Single-A Dunedin, High-A Vancouver, and double-A New Hampshire, posting a 3.42 ERA and a 2.88 FIP across 71.0 innings over 31 total games. The 6-1, 166-pound left-handed reliever was signed by Toronto as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2020, appearing in 62 contests (10 starts) over his five seasons in the Blue Jays organization, going 10-8 with a 3.73 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and a 34.3% chase rate.