Blue Jays announce Max Scherzer's replacement

Toronto recalled Lee from Triple-A Buffalo after Max Scherzer went on the injured list. That was the transaction on paper, but Lee is the part worth watching now.

This is not some random depth arm. The Blue Jays traded for Lee in December, sending lefty prospect Johan Simon to Detroit for a reliever they believed could help in the majors.

That belief came from more than roster need. Lee already has MLB time, and his player page shows a 4.10 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 37 1/3 career big-league innings entering this call-up.

He also has a look that stands out right away. Lee is a sidearm righty, the kind of reliever who can make at-bats uncomfortable just from the angle before the pitch shape even enters the picture.

That is part of why Toronto wanted him around. BlueBirdBanter noted the Blue Jays are interested in whether Lee can cover more than short bursts, which gives Schneider another kind of bullpen option if the usage is right.

The early Buffalo results helped force this moment. In 9 outings with the Bisons, Lee posted a 1.32 ERA across 13 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts and 2 saves.

The numbers were not perfect, and that matters too. His WHIP sat at 1.46 in Buffalo, which points to some traffic, and BlueBirdBanter noted the walk count has still been part of the profile.

Still, this is exactly the kind of arm smart teams keep trying to uncover. Lee is 27, has options, has already reached the majors, and offers a delivery most bullpens do not have.

His background adds another layer. MLB's bio notes Lee was a 6th-round pick by Texas in 2021 out of Alabama, where he posted a 1.87 ERA over 82 college innings and graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering.

That does not guarantee anything in Toronto. Sidearm relievers can look nasty one week and vulnerable the next, especially if the command slips or left-handed hitters start getting better looks.

But the Blue Jays do not need Lee to become a star overnight. They need him to give Schneider useful outs, create awkward matchups, and help stabilize a staff that keeps absorbing hits.

That is why this call-up matters more than it first looks. Chase Lee is not only replacing an injured roster spot. He is getting the kind of chance that can turn a depth reliever into a real part of Toronto's bullpen picture.