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.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Sticking around in rotation
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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.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: To finish season in rotation
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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: Lasts four innings Wednesday
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Leiter allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Wednesday.
Leiter was OK in his first major-league start since May 14, but it was still a rather inefficient performance. He threw 83 pitches (56 strikes) in total and allowed two runners to reach base in the fifth inning, one of which came around to score after Jose Urena entered the game as a long reliever. Leiter has a 12.83 ERA, 2.40 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 13.1 innings over four starts, though it's expected he'll spend most of the rest of the campaign in the majors to get some experience. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Yankees in a tough matchup.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Officially promoted
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The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Leiter will officially serve as the Rangers' 27th man as he starts the second game of Wednesday's twin bill, though he is expected to remain in the big-league rotation for another several starts. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up 17 runs in only 9.1 innings over his first three MLB starts early in the season, but he's since logged a 3.83 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 51.2 innings in Triple-A.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Expected to remain in rotation
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The Rangers will recall Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock to start Wednesday versus the White Sox and "intend to give him some runway" in the rotation during September, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Rangers are essentially turning the page to next season at this point and want to gauge Leiter's readiness for a rotation spot in 2025. Leiter's first three starts at the major-league level have not gone well (16.39 ERA), but the 24-year-old has had an excellent season at Round Rock and has pitched particularly well of late with a 2.37 ERA and 30:6 K:BB over 19 frames covering his last four outings.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Could start Wednesday
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The Rangers could call Leiter up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Leiter has been in the minors since mid-May after yielding 17 runs in 9.1 innings over his first three big-league starts. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft has turned things around at Round Rock lately, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 63:18 K:BB across 42 innings during his last nine starts. With Max Scherzer (shoulder) suffering a setback that will prevent him from returning from the 15-day injured list next week and Dane Dunning experiencing diminished velocity in his most recent spot start, Leiter looks like he could be given the next chance to fill the fifth spot in the Texas rotation.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Yanked after 1.2 frames
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Leiter (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against Cleveland, allowing six runs on three hits and three walks across 1.2 innings. He struck out one.
Leiter's struggles continued Tuesday, hitting a batter, dishing out a walk and throwing a pair of wild pitches in the first inning before giving up six runs and being pulled before finishing the second frame. In the second, Leiter allowed a pair of extra-base hits: a two-RBI double to Bo Naylor and a three-run home run to Josh Naylor. With Dane Dunning (shoulder) nearing a return and Leiter posting a 16.39 ERA across three starts, Tuesday's start could be the rookie's last.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Promoted for Tuesday's start
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The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his start against the Guardians on Tuesday.
The right-hander is back with Texas for his third start in the big leagues. Leiter's first two outings haven't gone particularly well, as he's given up 13 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits with a 6:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings. It may only be a spot start for the 24-year-old since Nathan Eovaldi (groin) may soon be back from the injured list.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Heads back to minors
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The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
Leiter was up as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Athletics and got rocked for six runs (four earned) over four innings. Because he was the designated 27th man, the 15-day rule doesn't apply to Leiter, so he'll remain an option to make a start next week versus the Guardians.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Roughed up again Wednesday
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Leiter escaped with a no-decision in a 12-11 win over the A's in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, coughing up six runs (four earned) on seven hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
The rookie right-hander once again didn't look ready for the majors, serving up homers to Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom before getting the hook after 60 pitches (44 strikes). Leiter has taken a big step forward this season at Triple-A, but he's been tagged for 13 runs (11 earned) in his first 7.2 big-league innings, and the Rangers may look elsewhere for short-term rotation help rather than damage the 24-year-old's confidence any further.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Called up ahead of Wednesday's start
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The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his scheduled start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Athletics in Oakland.
Texas is designating Leiter as the 27th man for the twin bill, but he won't necessarily be heading back to Round Rock after making his second start of the season for the big club Wednesday. The Rangers surprisingly placed Dane Dunning (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, meaning the team should have an opening in the rotation for a fifth starter heading into next week. Leiter was torched for seven runs in 3.2 innings in his MLB debut April 18 in Detroit, but he gets a favorable draw for his second start in a pitcher-friendly venue against a weak Oakland lineup.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Likely to make start Wednesday
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Leiter will "probably" start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Michael Lorenzen will start the first game of the double dip and Leiter has already joined the club in Oakland as he lines up for the second contest. The young right-hander struggled in a spot start in Detroit last month in his major-league debut, yielding seven runs over 3.2 frames. However, he's been sharp at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.84 ERA and 37:8 K:BB over 25.1 innings. While there is obvious risk, Leiter represents an intriguing streaming option Wednesday. He's a possibility to make at least one additional start, as well while Nathan Eovaldi (groin) recovers.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Struggles in debut
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Leiter did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings.
After a clean first inning, the Tigers tagged Leiter for four runs in the second before tacking on three more with two outs in the fourth, making for a tough debut for the second overall pick in 2021. Leiter struggled to a 5.19 ERA in the minors last year, though he'd gotten off to a promising start this season, posting a 3.77 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 14.1 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. With Michael Lorenzen (neck) making his Rangers debut this weekend, Leiter could be headed back to the minors.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Called up ahead of MLB debut
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The Rangers selected Leiter's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.
Leiter is set to start Thursday's game in Detroit in his MLB debut after posting a 3.77 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 14.1 innings with Round Rock to begin the season. The Rangers are seemingly planning for Leiter to make just one start before heading back to the minors, but he could change minds if he pitches well, particularly with Andrew Heaney's struggles.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Making jump to Triple-A
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The Rangers plan to promote Leiter from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
With Frisco's season coming to an end, Leiter will move up to Round Rock for the final week of the minor-league campaign. According to Grant, Leiter isn't initially expected to be active for Round Rock, though he could still make his Triple-A debut later on in the week. Leiter ended his time at Frisco with a 5.07 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 110:47 K:BB across 81.2 innings.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Strong effort in no-decision
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Leiter allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine over five innings for Double-A Frisco on Saturday.
Leiter submitted another strong performance since returning from the development list. In four starts since being reinstated, the right-hander has allowed six runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out 25 over 16.1 innings.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Another encouraging outing
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Leiter allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings for Double-A Frisco on Saturday.
Leiter continued a nice run following his reinstatement from the development list. The 23-year-old allowed a two-run home run in the first inning but finished with 4.1 scoreless frames. In three starts since coming back to the RoughRiders, the right-hander has a 3.18 ERA, 16 strikeouts and three walks over 11.1 innings. Three starts are a small sample, so it's too soon to claim Leiter's control issues are behind him, but his performance is encouraging.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Ugly results at Double-A
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Leiter has given up 13 earned runs while walking five and striking out five in five innings across two starts since getting activated from the development list at Double-A Frisco on June 30.
Whatever Leiter was working on for 12 days in between starts, it didn't translate into immediate success in his return to the RoughRiders' rotation. Leiter's 2023 stats (5.51 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) are looking awfully similar to his 2022 numbers (5.54 ERA, 1.55 WHIP), and his name value and pedigree probably won't be able to prop up trade value anymore in dynasty leagues.
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Rangers' Jack Leiter: Added to development list
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The Rangers placed Leiter on the development list Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
The organization has temporarily removed Leiter from the Double-A Frisco rotation for what Grant described as a workload management plan. The right-hander has made 13 starts and thrown 60.1 innings this season; in 2022, Leiter threw 48.2 innings over his first 13 starts. It's unclear how much time he'll spend on the development list, but the club could sit Leiter until after the Texas League's midseason break. The league is off from July 10-13.