Julian Merryweather, Mark Leiter Jr. To Be Activated Soon
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that relievers Julian Merryweather (ribs) and Mark Leiter Jr. (forearm) would be activated next week and rejoin the club. Counsell said that both Merryweather and Leiter threw live batting practice sessions on Saturday, which went well. Merryweather is scheduled to report to Single-A South Bend on Sunday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. It is believed he will be there for the coming week to work his way back into the mix and could rejoin the team next weekend. The team expects Leiter to return this week when the Cubs head out on the road for a series with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. was able to convert his fourth save of the season in Monday's 7-6 win over the Tigers. Leiter Jr. entered the game to pitch the bottom of the ninth up by two. He got the first out on a groundout, allowed a single, got the second out on a strikeout, gave up an RBI single, and got the final out on a flyout. The team's primary closer, Adbert Alzolay had pitched the previous two days, so Leiter Jr. got the call to close this one out. The 32-year-old has pitched well this season, converting four of six save opportunities with a 2.82 ERA, 11.60 K/9 rate, and 23 holds. While his save opportunities will likely remain limited, he does hold fantasy value in saves + holds roto leagues at this time.
Mark Leiter Jr. Registers His Third Save On Friday
Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. earned his third save of 2023 on Friday when his team defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1. He threw a clean ninth inning, allowing no hits or walks while striking out the side. Leiter Jr. has been lights out this year, pitching to a 2.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 38.3% strikeout rate. Although he only has three saves under his belt, the 32-year-old looks to be the favorite for ninth-inning opportunities in the Cubs bullpen. Leiter Jr. should be rostered in every format with double-digit save potential.
Mark Leiter Jr. Closes Out Mets; New Favorite For Saves?
Chicago Cubs reliever Mark Leiter Jr. pitched a clean ninth inning to nab his second save of the season on Wednesday, safeguarding a 4-2 win over the New York Mets. He worked the eighth inning in Tuesday's 7-2 victory, but he was tasked to retire the top portion of the Mets order in that one. The 32-year-old might be the preference for stopper duties on the Cubs with both Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger (forearm) struggling to a 1.50 WHIP each. Leiter Jr. has an impressive 1.77 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings this year. The second-generation righty has emerged as the fantasy reliever to roster in the Chicago bullpen whether he sees the bulk of the save chances or not.
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. was asked to pitch the ninth inning on Friday to protect a 4-1 lead over the Miami Marlins. He allowed a leadoff hit but was clean after that, giving up no runs while striking out one. It was Leiter Jr.'s first save of the season. The 32-year-old may begin seeing more save opportunities, as he's pitched to a 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 39.7% strikeout rate with seven holds. Leiter Jr. still has competition in presumed closer Brad Boxberger, but the club may have no choice but to make a switch if he continues his dominance, especially considering the latter's 4.09 ERA. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues in need of saves can stash the native of Florida in hopes that more saves are coming.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning in a 5-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday. Drew Smyly held the Nats to just one run over his seven innings before giving way to Leiter Jr., who retired all three batters he faced via the strikeout in the eighth inning. The solid outing gave him his seventh hold of the season. Leiter Jr. has been a reliable arm out of the Cubs bullpen this year, posting a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 20:6 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings (13 appearances) to go along with seven holds. He definitely has fantasy appeal in NSH leagues.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. earned his first hold of the season in Friday's 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers when he tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout in the seventh inning. Starter Marcus Stroman tossed six innings of shutout ball and handed it to Chicago's bullpen. Following Leiter's hold, Michael Fulmer worked two scoreless innings with four strikeouts for his first save of the 2023 campaign. Fulmer appears to be Chicago's primary option for saves this year, although Brad Boxberger could also factor in occasionally. The 32-year-old Leiter will be valuable in leagues that reward points for holds, and he hasn't allowed a run or a hit in his first three innings while walking three and striking out five.
Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. re-signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Leiter returns to the Cubbies after being pushed off the 40-man roster this offseason. The 31-year-old posted a career-best 3.99 ERA (4.29 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, his first three MLB saves, 25 walks and 73 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings covering a career-high 35 appearances (four starts) in 2022 with Chicago. He'll attempt to impress at camp in order to win a bullpen spot on Opening Day. In three major-league seasons with the Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, Leiter has an unimpressive 4.95 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP in 181 2/3 frames.
Mark Leiter Jr. Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Minors
Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. Leiter was designated for assignment last week but will remain with the Cubs for now. The 31-year-old made 35 appearances (four starts) for Chicago in 2022, going 2-7 with a 3.99 ERA (4.29 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, a career-high three saves, 25 walks and 73 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings pitched. In three major-league seasons, he sports a 4.95 ERA (5.06 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, three saves and 22.4 percent strikeout rate. Leiter will serve as relief depth for the Cubs in 2023 and can be ignored in fantasy.
The Philadelphia Phillies optioned outfielder Aaron Altherr and relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday. Altherr is batting a measly .171 in 248 plate appearances this year and can be dropped in all redraft leagues if he wasn't already. Leiter hasn't been much better in 2018 as a reliever, sporting a 5.74 ERA in 11 outings.
