Mark Leiter Jr. - Page 7 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Notches first save Leiter gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Marlins.

Impact Brad Boxberger had worked the day before and taken his first loss of the season, but he also threw only one pitch -- which turned into a walkoff homer by the Nationals' Alex Call. Michael Fulmer handled the eighth inning Friday, so for now it looks like Leiter has jumped up to second in the pecking order for save opportunities. The 32-year-old has earned the spot with a 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 14 innings, as increased usage of his nasty splitter has paid big dividends so far in 2023.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. — armed with a nasty splitter — is putting on a 'Leit Show' for the Chicago Cubs Mark Leiter Jr.’s journey certainly took a winding path to the mound for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

APRIL 17, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Earns first hold Leiter tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout to earn a hold in Friday's win over the Rangers.

Impact Starter Marcus Stroman pitched six scoreless innings, followed by Leiter in the seventh, and then two more clean frames from Michael Fulmer to preserve a 2-0 win. The Cubs hadn't played since Tuesday, so they should have had a fresh bullpen but still decided to use Leiter in a key spot. That could be a good sign for the righty's future outlook, though Fulmer and Brad Boxberger still figure to be ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs roster spot Leiter had his contract selected by the Cubs on Thursday.

Impact Leiter re-signed with Chicago on a minor-league deal in early February and secured a spot on the Opening Day roster with a 1.29 ERA and 10 strikeouts across seven innings during spring training. The 32-year-old had a 3.99 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 73:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings with three saves and four holds for the Cubs last season.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mooney: Mark Leiter Jr. has signed a minor-league deal... - The Athletic Mark Leiter Jr. has signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs and will go to major-league camp to compete for a bullpen job.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Re-signs on MiLB deal Leiter signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Cubs that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Leiter was pushed off the Cubs' 40-man roster last month, but he's back now with a chance to impress on the MLB side of spring camp. The 31-year-old right-hander worked to a respectable 3.99 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 73:25 K:BB ratio over 67.2 innings with Chicago during the 2022 regular season.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Leiter elected free agency Sunday.

Impact Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend after he went unclaimed off waivers when the Cubs designated him for assignment. The right-hander will likely draw some interest on the market after posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB in 67.2 innings at the big-league level for Chicago in 2022 over 35 appearances.

JANUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week but will remain with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The right-hander made 35 appearances (four starts) in the majors last year and posted a 3.99 ERA, 73:25 K:BB and 1.14 WHIP in 67.2 innings.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Cubs Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.

Impact The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Eric Hosmer. Leiter had a solid 2022 season, posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings, picking up three saves along the way. There might be some interest in him on waivers.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

2.1-inning save Thursday Leiter picked up the save Thursday in Pittsburgh, striking out four in 2.1 innings while walking two and hitting a batter in a 3-2 win.

Impact Leiter entered the game in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out Rodolfo Castro to end the inning. He walked a batter in the eighth and had runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth but escaped both situations unscathed. It was his third save of the season and second in September. In the second half, he's posted a 1.75 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB in 25.2 innings across 18 relief appearances.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns second save Wednesday Leiter pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

Impact Brandon Hughes pitched the last two nights, while Rowan Wick worked the seventh inning Wednesday, so the Cubs turned to Leiter in the ninth. The righty responded with his second save in four chances this season. The lefty Hughes as emerged as the team's primary closer, with Wick offering a right-handed option, so Leiter likely won't see a ton more save opportunities the rest of the year.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leiter Jr. used fatherly advice to find home in Cubs bullpen Mark Leiter Jr. has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs this season. After getting a few starts early in the year, he's posted a 1.45 ERA...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Records first MLB save Leiter pitched a scoreless 11th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.

Impact Chicago used five relievers before turning to Leiter, but he made the most of the opportunity with a lead and earned his first MLB save. The righty has quietly been pretty solid since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on July 30, recording a 1.46 ERA across 12.1 innings. Leiter is still more of a long reliever for the Cubs, so he shouldn't see regular save chances moving forward.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

McGraw: Cubs need to use caution before calling up more prospects Drew Smyly and Mark Leiter Jr. combined to throw a shutout as the Cubs won their second straight over the Miami Marlins 4-0 at Wrigley Field...

AUGUST 6, 2022 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Recalled by Cubs Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Impact Leiter was sent to the minors in mid-July but will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after Chris Martin was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. Over 14 appearances (four starts) in the majors this year, Leiter has posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 38.2 innings.

JULY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down Saturday Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Leiter was called up by the Cubs on June 21 but wasn't particularly sharp during his stint with the major-league club. He posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 21.1 innings over seven outings during his time in the big leagues and will head back to the minors as part of a move after Steven Brault's contract was selected Saturday.

JULY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in relief Sunday Leiter (2-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits while retiring one batter via strikeout to take the loss Sunday against the Dodgers.

Impact The Cubs probably didn't plan on using Leiter, who tossed five innings as the starting pitcher Thursday against the Dodgers, but Sunday starter Drew Smyly only lasted two frames in the 11-9 loss, so the team had to scramble. Leiter became the first Chicago pitcher to start a game and appear in relief during the same series since Daniel Norris accomplished that last season, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Leiter has made four starts and nine relief appearances so far this year, and he hasn't been particularly effective in either role, registering a 5.14 ERA across 35 innings. He's likely to stick in the bullpen moving forward now that the Cubs have returned both Smyly and Marcus Stroman from the injured list.

JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in start Leiter (2-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Impact Leiter gave up only five hits in five innings, but all five went for extra bases, including three that left the yard. The right-hander did well with 5.1 frames of one-run ball after stepping in for Alec Mills (back) in the first inning against Boston last Saturday, but he was unable to duplicate that effort against Los Angeles. Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) recently joined Mills, Marcus Stroman (shoulder), Drew Smyly (oblique) and Wade Miley (shoulder) as Cubs starters on the injured list, so Leiter has a chance to keep a spot in the rotation, though that isn't guaranteed with both Stroman and Smyly expected to be back in action this weekend.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Entering rotation Thursday Leiter is scheduled to start Thursday's game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Leiter joins the rotation as a replacement for Alec Mills (back), who exited seven pitches into his most recent start Sunday against the Red Sox and was moved to the 15-day injured list. Following Mills' departure, Leiter stepped in and struck out five over 5.1 innings of one-run ball, so the right-hander should be sufficiently stretched out as he prepares for his fourth start of the season with the big-league club.

JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win in impromptu outing Leiter (2-2) earned the win in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox. He allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Impact Starter Alec Mills (back) exited the contest after just seven pitches and one out, with Leiter stepping in for his longest appearance of the year. The right-hander has started three of his 11 outings in the majors this year, and he'd be a candidate to join the rotation if Mills can't make his next scheduled start, though Marcus Stroman (shoulder) could be good to go by next weekend if he only needs one rehab start. Leiter has pitched to mixed results with a 4.85 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB through 29.2 innings overall.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leiter works 5 1/3 in emergency relief, Cubs top Boston 3-1

Mark Leiter Jr. threw 5 1/3 solid innings of emergency relief, Nico Hoerner and Patrick Wisdom each had two hits and the Chicago Cubs capitalized on a pair of Boston errors and bea...

JULY 3, 2022 • Associated Press

Suffers second loss Leiter (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits across two innings of relief to take the loss Saturday against the Cardinals. He didn't have any walks and struck out two.

Impact Leiter allowed two hits in the seventh inning but escaped without allowing any runs, and the Cubs proceeded to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth. However, Leiter was less fortunate in the bottom of the frame. A one-out double followed by a wild pitch left a runner on third. Leiter then hit Harrison Bader with a pitch and followed that by allowing a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single. The righty has struggled this year with a 6.04 ERA, and he could get shipped back to Triple-A Iowa at some point.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back with big-league club Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Leiter will join the Cubs on Tuesday for his fourth stint in the majors this season. The 31-year-old has appeared in seven games (three starts) and has a 6.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB over 17.1 innings.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down Saturday Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Leiter made two relief appearances after being called up May 29, and he allowed three runs while striking out four in five innings. However, he picked up his first major-league win of the season Wednesday against Milwaukee. The right-hander will head back to the minors as part of a move to make room on the active roster for Caleb Kilian, who will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sahadev Sharma: Caleb Kilian called up from Iowa, Mark Leiter... - The Athletic Caleb Kilian called up from Iowa, Mark Leiter, Jr. optioned, Conner Menez DFA'd to make room on the 40-man. Anderson Espinoza added as the 2...

JUNE 4, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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Leiter works 5 1/3 in emergency relief, Cubs top Boston 3-1