dailyloe.com – The Detroit Tigers promoted infielder Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo on Friday, April 17, 2026. The 23-year-old will make his Major League Baseball debut that day against the Boston Red Sox. He replaces utility player Zach McKinstry, who was placed on the injured list. Lee will start at third base and bat eighth in the lineup at Fenway Park.
McKinstry landed on the 10-day injured list with left hip and abdominal inflammation. The injury occurred during a Wednesday win against the Kansas City Royals. His placement is retroactive to Thursday, April 16. He will be eligible to return as early as April 26.
Lee ranks as the Tigers’ number six prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He is a right-handed hitter known for success against left-handed pitchers. He also has a reputation for above-average defense. The Tigers acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies in August 2023.
He was traded for right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen. That was the first trade deadline under president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Harris was hired by the Tigers in September 2022. Lee plays both second and third base.
In six games for Toledo this season, Lee hit .154 with one home run. He had one walk and seven strikeouts across 27 plate appearances. His on-base plus slugging percentage was .454 for the 2026 season. He logged 21 innings at second base and 18 innings at third base.
Before his Triple-A stint, he spent three games in Low-A Lakeland. He was returning from a left oblique strain suffered in early March. In 2025, he performed well against left-handed pitchers in Triple-A. He hit .299 with a .919 OPS across 124 plate appearances versus lefties.
He played all 126 games for Toledo during the 2025 season. The Tigers plan to start Lee against left-handed pitchers. He will face Boston’s Ranger Suárez on Friday and Garrett Crochet on Sunday. The team also expects to face more lefties in upcoming series.
They will see Kyle Harrison of the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. Andrew Abbott of the Cincinnati Reds will pitch on April 24. Lee will primarily face left-handers for the Tigers. He is also expected to get some chances against right-handed pitchers.
The team values his defensive abilities. McKinstry had been the primary second baseman when left-hander Framber Valdez pitches. Lee could fill that role when Valdez starts on Sunday. His promotion provides infield depth for the Tigers.[]
Source: Detroit Free Press
