MARK LEITER JR. NEWS

Sharp in spring return Leiter (back) struck out the side in his lone inning of relief in Saturday's 8-7 Grapefruit League loss to the Phillies.

Impact Leiter made his first appearance since March 6 after a back injury resulted in the Yankees keeping him off the pitching schedule for more than two weeks. The right-hander erased any concern about his health by tossing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while inducing four swings and misses. He'll likely be ticketed for a middle-relief role with the Yankees to open the season.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Faces hitters Wednesday Leiter (back) completed an 18-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Impact Leiter said after the workout that he feels ready to go for Opening Day, but the Yankees will likely want to see him pitch in at least one or two more Grapefruit League or minor-league games this spring before locking him into their bullpen to begin the season. The right-hander last pitched in the Grapefruit League on March 6 before the back injury cropped up.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

On track for Opening Day Leiter (back) said he felt good during his bullpen session Sunday and expects to be ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Impact It was reported earlier Sunday that Leiter didn't throw his bullpen session as scheduled, but he ended up taking the mound. The right-hander has been slowed the past few days by the back issue but could be good to go for the start of the season.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't throw bullpen Sunday Leiter (back) did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Impact Leiter was scheduled to pitch against the Tigers on Thursday, but he was scratched due to a back injury. It's unclear whether his absence Sunday morning was due to aggravating the injury, but it appears to be a more serious issue than previously thought. Leiter was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees in late July, and across 21 regular-season outings with the Bronx Bombers in 2024 and posteed a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 21.2 innings.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Managing back injury Leiter didn't pitch as scheduled Thursday against the Tigers due to a back injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Impact Leiter's injury doesn't seem to be anything too serious, but the Yankees are choosing to be cautious with the righty. He's slated to face hitters in a live batting practice session Sunday, and if all goes well he could return to playing in the Grapefruit League soon.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Leiter Jr. and Dennis Santana lose in salary arbitration, Alex Vesia agrees with Dodgers

New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana have lost to their teams in salary arbitration

FEBRUARY 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Loses arbitration hearing Leiter lost his arbitration case against the Yankees on Saturday and will make $2.05 million in 2025, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP after being traded from Chicago to New York at last season's trade deadline. His underwhelming performance with the Pinstripes likely caused the arbitrators to side with the club and will ultimately result in him making $450,000 less than the $2.5 million he filed for. The 33-year-old righty will likely take on a middle relief role for New York in 2025.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

For MLB teams chasing October glory, building a bullpen is a vital — and confounding — exercise

For a World Series that was supposed to feature an epic battle between sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, guys like Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda...

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thrust into ALCS action, Leiter Jr. makes his Mark CLEVELAND -- Thursday night, Mark Leiter Jr. was stuck watching the ALCS like the rest of us. Life comes at you fast. Leiter was thrust into...

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • MLB.COM

Yankees add RHP Mark Leiter Jr. to ALCS roster The New York Yankees added right-hander Mark Leiter Jr.to their American League Championship Series roster on Friday.Leiter will take the bu...

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Added to ALCS roster Leiter has been added to the Yankees' ALCS roster, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Impact Leiter is the injury replacement for Ian Hamilton (calf). The 33-year-old Leiter held a 4.98 ERA over 21.2 innings after being acquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline, but he struck out 33 and tallied 86 strikeouts across 58 frames in 2024 between his time with the Cubs and Yankees.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from paternity list The Yankees reinstated Leiter from the paternity list Sunday.

Impact Leiter will be available out of the bullpen for the Yankees' regular-season finale against the Pirates. The 33-year-old reliever has a 4.58 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB over 57 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on paternity list The Yankees placed Leiter on the paternity list Thursday.

Impact By rule, Leiter will miss the next 1-to-3 games while welcoming a new addition to the family. Scott Effross has been summoned from the minors to absorb Leiter's roster spot.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Opening for saves Leiter could be in the mix for save chances after Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team will get "creative" with the closer role going forward, Jack Curry of YES...

Impact The skipper didn't officially demote closer Clay Holmes or name specific relievers for the "creative" approach, but Leiter should be one of the top candidates to see save chances. However, the right-hander hasn't pitched particularly well since being acquired from the Cubs at the summer trade deadline, as he has a 6.08 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 13.1 innings with the Yankees. That could give a leg up to Luke Weaver and Tommy Kahnle, who have been reliable high-leverage options for Boone this year.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shines in extra-inning victory Leiter (3-4) hit a batter but allowed no hits and notched three strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in relief Sunday versus the Blue Jays.

Impact Leiter entered the contest in the top of the ninth inning with the go-ahead run on first base and struck out Joey Loperfido to end the frame. The contest eventually went into an extra inning, and Leiter returned for the 10th, notching two more strikeouts and working around a two-out hit batsman. The right-hander subsequently was credited for the win after DJ LeMahieu stroked a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. Since joining the Yankees on July 30, Leiter has allowed one run in four innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB and picking up a hold along with Sunday's victory.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees Catcher Caught for New Trade Deadline Teammate Before Even Meeting Him Mark Leiter Jr. and Austin Wells didn’t meet until after they played together.

JULY 31, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Yankees takeaways: Brian Cashman confident in roster after trade deadline The Yankees acquired three players — Jazz Chisholm Jr., Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos — before Tuesday's trade deadline.

JULY 31, 2024 • NJ.COM

Yankees acquire relievers Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos, deal away Caleb Ferguson

The New York Yankees acquired right-handers Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs and Enyel De Los Santos from the San Diego Padres at Tuesday’s trade deadline while dealing left-h...

JULY 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs address future, dealing Leiter for 2 prospects CINCINNATI -- The Cubs planned to use the Trade Deadline to address immediate needs while also adding building blocks for the future. The No...

JULY 30, 2024 • MLB.COM

Yankees reportedly acquire Mark Leiter Jr. | 07/30/2024 The Yankees have reportedly acquired relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. from the Cubs in exchange for Benjamin Cowles and Jack Neely

JULY 30, 2024 • MLB.COM

Reports: Yankees acquire Cubs reliever Mark Leiter Jr. The New York Yankees are acquiring reliever Mark Leiter Jr.from the Chicago Cubs, multiple outlets reported ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadlin...

JULY 30, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Reports: Yankees acquire Cubs reliever Mark Leiter Jr. The New York Yankees are acquiring reliever Mark Leiter Jr.from the Chicago Cubs, multiple outlets reported ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadlin...

JULY 30, 2024 • THESTATE.COM

Shipped to Bronx The Yankees acquired Leiter from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Benjamin Cowles (undisclosed) and right-hander Jack Neely, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Leiter recorded 13 holds with a 4.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB over 36.1 innings for the Cubs, and he's been lights out of late with seven straight scoreless appearances. The right-hander is unlikely to see save chances in New York but should work as part of the bridge to closer Clay Holmes.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shipped to Bronx The Yankees acquired Leiter from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for prospects Benjamin Cowles and Jack Neely, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Leiter recorded 13 holds with a 4.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB over 36.1 innings for the Cubs, and he's been lights out of late with seven straight scoreless appearances. The right-hander is unlikely to see save chances in New York but should work as part of the bridge to closer Clay Holmes.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IL The Cubs activated Leiter (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Following Leiter's live batting practice session Saturday, manager Craig Counsell said he would be activated during the Cubs' upcoming series at Baltimore. The right-hander was on the injured list due to a right forearm strain and is now set to make his return after landing on it June 23. In a corresponding move, Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE