D-backs select Mateo, Lee and Hernandez in Rule 5 Draft

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@dbacks) selected right-handed pitcher Marcos Mateo (Cubs) in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and right-handed pitcher Michael Lee (Braves) and left-handed pitcher Hector Hernandez (Cardinals) in the Triple-A phase, according to D-backs Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.

Mateo, 29, was 2-0 with 1 save and a 1.74 ERA (6 ER in 31.0 IP) in 24 games (2 starts) with Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee and Rookie Arizona League Cubs in 2013. He is currently pitching with Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League and is 3-0 with 9 saves and a 0.93 ERA (2 ER in 19.1 IP).

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder has gone 1-3 with a 5.04 ERA (25 ER in 44.2 IP) in 44 relief appearances with the Cubs in 2010-11. Mateo missed the entire 2012 season and part of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Lee, 27, combined to go 9-8 with a 3.77 ERA (56 ER in 133.2 IP) in 26 games (21 starts) with Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi in 2013. He went 6-2 with a 2.77 ERA (19 ER in 61.2 IP) in his final 10 starts of the season, including winning each of his last 4 decisions.

In 6 Minor League seasons in the Red Sox (2008-12) and Braves' (2012-13) organizations, the 6-foot-7, 235-pounder is 28-30 with 4 saves and a 4.23 ERA (246 ER in 524.0 IP) in 134 games (70 starts). Lee was originally drafted by Boston in the eighth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Hernandez, 22, was 8-6 with a 3.55 ERA (48 ER in 121.2 IP) in 22 games (21 starts) with Single-A Peoria and Single-A Palm Beach in 2013. He allowed 3 earned runs or less in his last 14 starts, including 2 earned runs or less in his final 11.

Hernandez is 21-19 with 1 save and 3.93 ERA (170 ER in 389.0 IP) in 71 games (3 starts) in the Cardinals' organization. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder was selected by St. Louis in the 10th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

The D-backs' 40-man roster is now at 37.