Mark Leiter Jr.'s Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (paternity) was activated off the paternity list earlier Sunday morning. The right-hander was away from the team for a few days but should be expected to return to his high-leverage role on Sunday and during the playoffs. Since being traded to the Yankees at the trade deadline, Leiter Jr. has logged a 5.23 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, with a 7:30 BB:K ratio across 20 2/3 frames. Earlier this season with the Cubs, Leiter posted a 4.21 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP through 36 1/3 innings of work. Leiter has generated whiffs and strikeouts at a strong 37.3% and 33.2% respectively and could occasionally mix in for save opportunities during October.

The New York Yankees placed right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. on the paternity list on Thursday and recalled right-hander Scott Effross from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move before their contest at Yankee Stadium against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Leiter will most likely be away from the Yankees for the next three games, meaning he'll likely be back for the regular-series finale on Sunday at home in the Bronx against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 33-year-old veteran began the year with the Chicago Cubs before joining the Yankees at the trade deadline in late July. In 20 relief appearances out of the Yankees' bullpen since the trade, Leiter has gone 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA (5.34 FIP), a 1.64 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and seven walks in 20 2/3 innings, so he hasn't really been on the fantasy radar in pinstripes.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. is being traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for outfield prospect Benjamin Cowles (No. 29 on MLB Pipeline) and right-handed pitching prospect Jack Neely (No. 22). Leiter currently sits with a 4.21 ERA and 1.10 WHIP but boats stellar metrics that suggest he has gotten very unlucky through the first half of the summer. The 33-year-old carries a 34.9% strikeout rate and a 36.7% whiff rate, which places him in the top 98th percentile among all pitchers. In addition, he holds a 2.61 xERA and .197 xBA, which are among the best marks in the entire sport. While Clay Holmes is likely to continue to serve as the ninth-inning option in the Bronx, Leiter should immediately slot into a high-leverage role and should provide a high amount of holds during the final months of the season.