MARK LEITER NEWS

Avoids arbitration with Cubs The Cubs and Leiter avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Leiter has turned himself into a valuable reliever for the Cubs, having held a 3.50 ERA and 77:24 K:BB over 64.1 innings last season. He should see action in high-leverage spots again this year.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save in critical loss Leiter allowed a run on two hits while retiring only one batter to record a blown save in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Impact Leiter got a crack at the ninth inning with the Cubs up 4-3, but he allowed a Marcell Ozuna home run to record his fourth blown save of the season. With regular closer Adbert Alzolay (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has failed to step up, as he now has an ugly 9.45 ERA this month. The Cubs will likely need to turn to Julian Merryweather in save opportunities for the time being considering the magnitude of their next four games.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns another hold Tuesday Leiter pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Impact Leiter worked the seventh following six scoreless innings from starter Justin Steele, and the righty needed just 10 pitches to set Milwaukee down in order. Adbert Alzolay has emerged as Chicago's closer with 22 saves in 23 chances this season, but Leiter has been an effective setup man, as he now has a team-high 25 holds to go along with a strong 2.70 ERA. If the Cubs want to catch the Brewers in the NL Central, they'll need big contributions from both relievers down the stretch.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records fourth save Leiter allowed a run on two hits but managed to secure the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.

Impact Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs bypassed him for the save opportunity and turned to Leiter. It was the latter's fourth save of the season, though it was his first since June 2, as Alzolay has established himself in the role. Leiter should still serve as a reliable setup option moving forward.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues in setup role Leiter retired two batters in a scoreless appearance Friday to earn a hold in the 4-3 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Leiter retired the final two batters of the eighth inning before Adbert Alzolay worked the ninth. Leiter seems to be firmly in a setup role ahead of Alzolay, as the former last recorded a save back on June 2. Since then, Leiter has six holds, while Alzolay has recorded six saves. Leiter still has some fantasy value as a setup man in deeper leagues, though he'd receive a boost if he started seeing save opportunities again at some point.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns another hold Saturday Leiter tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Orioles. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out two.

Impact Leiter covered the seventh and eighth innings, and his efforts earned him his 12th hold of the season. Adbert Alzolay closed things out in the ninth, and it looks like the latter has established himself as the team's preferred closing option. Since Leiter's last save on June 2, he has three holds, while Alzolay has picked up two saves in that span. Leiter still has some fantasy value in deeper leagues, though it looks like Alzolay is the preferred choice for managers at this point.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns hold Friday Leiter pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 3-2 win over the Giants. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Impact The strong effort earned Leiter his 10th hold of the season, and Adbert Alzolay closed things out in the ninth. The two pitchers seem to be in a closer committee, with Leiter recording the team's second most recent save on June 2. This gives Leiter some fantasy value, though his ceiling is capped by Alzolay.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs seeking more relief from bullpen ANAHEIM -- Given how crucial Mark Leiter Jr. has become for the Cubs’ bullpen, there have been recent games in which manager David Ross save...

JUNE 8, 2023 • MLB.COM

Converts another save Leiter picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Padres. He struck out three over a scoreless inning.

Impact Despite getting lit up in his previous outing, Leiter got the chance to close out a one-run lead Friday. After striking out the side, he has a career-high 13.69 K/9 in 2023. Since Brad Boxberger's injury on May 13, Leiter has converted two saves and Adbert Alzolay has picked up one save. Alzolay pitched in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning Friday, where he entered with two on and no outs, so both pitchers will likely be in the running for save opportunities until Boxberger returns.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Wednesday Leiter (1-1) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss Wednesday against the Rays.

Impact Long balls did in Leiter, as he allowed two-run home runs to both Brandon Lowe and Jose Siri. The righty still has a solid 2.78 ERA and should remain in the mix to close games with Brad Boxberger (forearm) out, though Adbert Alzolay recorded the save in Tuesday's win and could be moving up the bullpen pecking order. Leiter's increased fantasy value may be waning.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures second save Leiter earned a save against the Mets on Wednesday with a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

Impact Leiter had been scuffling a bit coming into this week, allowing three runs (two earned) over his previous three appearances. He got five days off before striking out two and notching a hold over 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday, then got the call in the ninth Wednesday with the Cubs leading by two. Leiter made quick work of New York, retiring the side on 10 pitches to pick up the save. The Cubs' closer situation remains hazy, but Leiter may be the best bet for ninth-inning opportunities given his strong numbers this season (1.77 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB over 20.1 innings). He's notched two of the team's five saves on the campaign.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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