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Lee rejoins Toronto’s bullpen for the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles. He’s been hit hard in seven relief appearances this season.

Lee, 28, is sent down to make room for Rickey Tiedemann. The right-hander will likely get another shot with Toronto before the season concludes with rosters expanding in a few weeks.

Lee returns to Toronto’s pitching mix in the wake of veteran starter Jameson Taillon hitting the injured list with a forearm issue. The 27-year-old has delivered a lackluster 5.06 ERA across 5 1/3 innings over five appearances in the majors this season.

The Jays needed to free up a spot on their active roster for the addition of Matt Waldron on Friday and unfortunately for Lee he was the odd man out this time. The 27-year-old righty compiled a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 2/5 K/BB ratio over 5 1/3 innings in five appearances with the Jays.

The 27-year-old has a 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 40/18 K/BB ratio in 45 innings at Triple-A so far this season. His 3 1/3 MLB innings have been far less successful.

Lee has an 8.10 ERA in three appearance for the Jays, walking four and striking out just one. He figures to be part of the bullpen shuttle between Buffalo and Toronto for most of the season. Lee does hold a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings at Buffalo, so he’s shown well there despite not pitching well at the highest level just yet.

Lee rejoins Toronto’s relief corps ahead of Tuesday’s showdown against the Yankees with veteran lefty Joe Mantiply hitting the shelf with knee inflammation. The 27-year-old made one relief appearance for the Blue Jays last month before being shipped back to the minors.

Lee was up for only a day, and gets optioned back to Triple-A with Trey Yesavage (shoulder) coming off the injured list. The 27-year-old will likely be back at some point this summer.

With Max Scherzer (forearm/ankle) landing on the injured list, the Blue Jays will have Eric Lauer start against the Red Sox on Wednesday, which means a spot opened up in the bullpen. Lee will claim that spot after pitching to a 1.32 ERA and 12/9 K/BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

Lee opens the year on the doorstep of the big leagues after being acquired from the Tigers in an offseason trade. Bastardo and Jiménez lose their spots on Toronto’s 40-man roster but are decent bets to pass through waivers unclaimed and remain with the organization.

The side-arming right-hander broke through to the big leagues for the first time in 2025, posting a 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a stellar 36/9 K/BB ratio over 37 1/3 innings for the Tigers. He should get an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Jays’ Opening Day bullpen.