New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (back) is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-hander threw a bullpen session on Sunday. Leiter reportedly felt good as he continues to recover from a back issue that has slowed him down over the last week or so. The 34-year-old posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 86/22 K/BB ratio across 60 games with the Chicago Cubs and Yankees last season. The expectation is that Leiter will be used in a high-leverage role. However, Leiter will lack fantasy value in most leagues because he won't see regular save chances.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (paternity) was activated off the paternity list earlier Sunday morning. The right-hander was away from the team for a few days but should be expected to return to his high-leverage role on Sunday and during the playoffs. Since being traded to the Yankees at the trade deadline, Leiter Jr. has logged a 5.23 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, with a 7:30 BB:K ratio across 20 2/3 frames. Earlier this season with the Cubs, Leiter posted a 4.21 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP through 36 1/3 innings of work. Leiter has generated whiffs and strikeouts at a strong 37.3% and 33.2% respectively and could occasionally mix in for save opportunities during October.
The New York Yankees placed right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. on the paternity list on Thursday and recalled right-hander Scott Effross from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move before their contest at Yankee Stadium against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Leiter will most likely be away from the Yankees for the next three games, meaning he'll likely be back for the regular-series finale on Sunday at home in the Bronx against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 33-year-old veteran began the year with the Chicago Cubs before joining the Yankees at the trade deadline in late July. In 20 relief appearances out of the Yankees' bullpen since the trade, Leiter has gone 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA (5.34 FIP), a 1.64 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and seven walks in 20 2/3 innings, so he hasn't really been on the fantasy radar in pinstripes.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. is being traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for outfield prospect Benjamin Cowles (No. 29 on MLB Pipeline) and right-handed pitching prospect Jack Neely (No. 22). Leiter currently sits with a 4.21 ERA and 1.10 WHIP but boats stellar metrics that suggest he has gotten very unlucky through the first half of the summer. The 33-year-old carries a 34.9% strikeout rate and a 36.7% whiff rate, which places him in the top 98th percentile among all pitchers. In addition, he holds a 2.61 xERA and .197 xBA, which are among the best marks in the entire sport. While Clay Holmes is likely to continue to serve as the ninth-inning option in the Bronx, Leiter should immediately slot into a high-leverage role and should provide a high amount of holds during the final months of the season.
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.
Mark Leiter Jr.
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Yankees
