The Detroit Tigers today added three players to their 40-man roster to avoid them being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Right-handed relievers Chase Lee, Tyler Mattison, and Tyler Owens were selected to the 40-man roster. To make room for them the Tigers have Designated for assignment: Infielder Eddys Leonard, right-handed reliever Ricky Vanasco, right-handed reliever Brendan White.
RHP – Chase Lee
Lee was acquired in the trade with the Rangers for Andrew Chafin. He made 17 appearances at Triple-A Toledo going 1-3 with A 3.27 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in 22 innings of work.
RHP – Tyler Mattison
Mattison was drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He didn’t pitch in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, 2023 he pitched at High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie making 41 appearances with five starts going 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts in 59.2 innings
RHP – Tyler Owens
Owens was acquired in the Carson Kelly trade. He appeared in 13 games at Double-A Erie going 1-3 with a 3.31 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 16.1 innings.
Get Your Inside The Diamonds Merchandise Here
INF – Eddys Leonard
The Tigers acquired Leonard from the Dodgers for cash in 2023. This past season he played at Single-A, High-A, and Triple-A playing in 82 games hitting .253 with a .756 OPS; he had 18 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 30 RBI, 42 runs scored, nine stolen bases, and 21 walks.
RHP – Ricky Vanasco
Vanasco was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash. He pitched at Triple-A Toledo and with the Tigers in 2024. With the Tigers, he appeared in two games going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.00 WHIP, and zero strikeouts in two innings. At Toledo, he appeared in 11 games going 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts in 17 innings.
RHP – Brendan White
White was drafted by the Tigers in the 26th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. In 2024 pitched at rookie ball, Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A making eight appearances with one coming as a start going 1-0 with a 7.36 ERA, a 1.91 WHIP, and six strikeouts in 7.1 innings. His season came to an end as he underwent a hydro-dissection procedure Tuesday to address radial nerve-related symptoms
