The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
Leiter's first season in the majors is in the books following Friday's transaction. He appeared in nine games (six starts) for the Rangers this season, posting an 0-3 record with an 8.83 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings. Most of his time this year was spent in Triple-A, where over 18 outings (16 starts) he registered a 6-4 record with a 3.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 110:35 K:BB over 77 innings.
Leiter appeared out of the bullpen in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners, taking a no-decision while striking out six batters and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over four innings.
After starting in each of his prior six appearances with the Rangers on the season, Leiter shifted to the bullpen Saturday while Max Scherzer (shoulder) made his return from the 15-day injured list. Since Scherzer wasn't fully stretched out after making just one rehab start prior to his activation, the Rangers ended up deploying him in tandem with Leiter, with both pitchers covering four innings and tossing 73 and 71 pitches, respectively. Scherzer and Jacob deGrom -- who returned from the IL on Friday -- should have longer leashes in their next outings this upcoming weekend versus Seattle, so Leiter may not be asked to piggyback either pitcher and may instead work in a more flexible relief role.
Rangers' Jack Leiter: Racks up 20 whiffs in no-decision
Rotowire
Leiter allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Saturday.
Leiter had a rough first inning, serving up a leadoff homer to Taylor Ward and allowing an additional run in the frame. However, he bounced back from there, keeping Los Angeles scoreless while allowing just one hit over his remaining four innings. Leiter retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced and racked up an impressive 20 swinging strikes overall -- per Jared Sandler of 105.3 The FAN, that's the most whiffs ever in a single game by a Rangers pitcher age 25 or younger. The rookie right-hander has yet to earn his first major-league win and owns a 10.41 ERA through six starts, but he's shown improvement over his last two outings.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Sticking around in rotation
Rotowire
Leiter is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Arlington.
Though he could end up being squeezed out of the rotation once both Jacob deGrom (elbow) and Max Scherzer (shoulder) return from the injured list, Leiter will retain a starting role for now. The rookie had been pitching well at Triple-A Round Rock since the All-Star break, but he's yet to find much success through his first five big-league outings. He'll carry an 11.78 ERA and 2.13 WHIP into Saturday's start.
The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
Leiter will start Monday's against the Yankees and is poised to finish out the regular season as part of the Rangers' rotation as the club tries to find out whether he can be counted on as a member of its starting five in 2025. The young righty holds an ugly 12.83 ERA in his first four big-league outings but has flashed plenty of promise in 2024 at Round Rock with a 3.51 ERA and 110:35 K:BB over 77 innings.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Takes loss Monday
Rotowire
Leiter (0-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out two batters over five-plus innings.
Leiter held his own through five frames, giving up just two runs on a Gleyber Torres double. However, the rookie righty allowed all three batters he faced in the sixth inning to reach base, and each of the trio came around to score (including two after his departure). Leiter's final line doesn't necessarily show it, but this was arguably the best outing of his young career -- among other things, he hit 98.9 mph with his fastball, didn't walk any batters and notched strikeouts of potential future Hall of Famers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. The 24-year-old's season ERA still stands at an unsightly 11.78 through five big-league starts, but he's had a breakthrough campaign in the minors this year to dig himself more firmly into the Rangers' future rotation plans.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: To finish season in rotation
Rotowire
Leiter is expected to finish out the season as part of the Rangers' rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. "We feel like he's done everything he can at Triple-A," Rangers general manager Chris Young said. "Now he needs some consistent starts at the major-league level. We're looking forward to him getting that in September."
Leiter, who started the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, is expected to be called up for Monday's start against the Yankees. The right-hander logged a 3.51 ERA at Triple-A Round Rock in 2024, easily his best result in three professional seasons in the minors. He has a 12.83 ERA in four MLB starts this season, but Leiter's outing last Wednesday was the best of the four with two runs allowed across four frames.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Starting Monday
Rotowire
The Rangers will recall Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock to start Monday's game against the Yankees, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Leiter turned in the best start of his young MLB career during his most recent outing this past Wednesday against the White Sox, surrendering three runs (two earned) over four innings. The 24-year-old righty will now get a chance to follow up on his performance, though this time he'll be matched up against the American League's highest-scoring offense.
