Leiter pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out one.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Records fourth save
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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.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Continues in setup role
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Leiter retired two batters in a scoreless appearance Friday to earn a hold in the 4-3 win over the Cardinals.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Earns another hold Saturday
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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.
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 fantasy managers at this point.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Earns hold Friday
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Leiter pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 3-2 win over the Giants. He allowed one hit and struck out two.
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 would seem to be capped by the presence of Alzolay.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Converts another save
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Leiter picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Padres. He struck out three over a scoreless inning.
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 (forearm) landed on the IL on May 13, Leiter has converted two saves and Adbert Alzolay has picked up one. Alzolay pitched in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning Friday, entering with two on and no outs, so both pitchers will likely be in the closer mix until Boxberger returns.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Takes loss Wednesday
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Leiter (1-1) allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss Wednesday against the Rays.
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, particularly following this rough outing by Leiter. The latter's increased fantasy value due to Boxberger's injury may be waning.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Secures second save
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Leiter earned a save against the Mets on Wednesday with a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.
Leiter had been struggling 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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Notches first save
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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.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Earns first hold
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Leiter tossed a perfect inning of relief with a strikeout to earn a hold in Friday's win over the Rangers.
Starter Marcus Stroman pitched six scoreless innings, followed by Leiter in the seventh, and then two more scoreless 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 for his first hold of the season. 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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Nabs roster spot
Rotowire
Leiter had his contract selected by the Cubs on Thursday.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Re-signs on MiLB deal
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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.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Outrighted to Triple-A
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Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: DFA'd by Cubs
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Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.
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 while picking up three saves along the way. There might be some interest in him on waivers.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Posts 2.1-inning save Thursday
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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.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Earns second save Wednesday
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Leiter pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Takes loss Thursday
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Leiter (2-7) allowed two runs on two hits while retiring just two batters to take the loss Thursday against the Reds. He walked one and struck out one.
Leiter has had a rough go of things in terms of record, but he's been pitching pretty well lately. Coming into Thursday, the righty had a 1.69 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 16 innings since the beginning of August. Leiter should stick in a prominent bullpen role for the Cubs, though his fantasy value will remain capped unless he can begin turning some of the losses into wins.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Takes sixth loss
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Leiter (2-6) allowed an unearned run on one hit across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in extra innings Monday against the Blue Jays. He walked two and had no strikeouts.
Leiter took his sixth loss of the season, but he didn't pitch poorly, as both of his walks were intentional. His only real mistake was a walkoff single he allowed to Danny Jansen in the 11th inning, which brought home the runner that started the frame on second base. Even with the loss, Leiter has been outstanding recently with a 1.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts across 14 innings this month. The righty has settled into a regular bullpen role with the Cubs now that the likes of Scott Effross, David Robertson and Mychal Givens are no longer around.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Records first MLB save
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Leiter pitched a scoreless 11th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.
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.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Recalled by Cubs
Rotowire
Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
Leiter was sent to the minors in mid-July but will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after Chris Martin was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. Over 14 appearances (four starts) in the majors this year, Leiter has posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 38.2 innings.
