The Texas Rangers have acquired left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin from the Detroit Tigers as the MLB trade deadline approached. The Rangers, who have struggled with left-handed relief options in 2024, strengthened their bullpen with this addition.
Chafin has posted a 3-2 record with one save and a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings with the Tigers this season. He has struck out 50 batters and walked 16. Left-handed hitters are batting just .180 against him with no home runs and 26 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, while right-handed hitters have hit .293 with two home runs.
In exchange for Chafin, the Rangers sent minor league right-handers Chase Lee and Joseph Montalvo to the Tigers. Lee, 26, has a 1.69 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings at Triple-A Round Rock. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 2021. Montalvo, 22, has a 4-2 record with a 2.44 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 59 innings for High-A Hickory this season. He was a 20th-round pick in 2021.
To make space on the 40-man roster for Chafin, the Rangers designated right-handed reliever Jonathan Hernandez for assignment.
Chafin was initially drafted 43rd overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 and made his MLB debut in 2014. He spent six seasons with the Diamondbacks before being traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31, 2020.
This season, the Rangers’ bullpen has been lacking reliable left-handed options, with Jacob Latz posting a 2-3 record, a 3.63 ERA, and a 1.49 WHIP in 39 2/3 innings across 44 appearances.
