Mark Leiter Jr. DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (back) is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-hander threw a bullpen session on Sunday. Leiter reportedly felt good as he continues to recover from a back issue that has slowed him down over the last week or so. The 34-year-old posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 86/22 K/BB ratio across 60 games with the Chicago Cubs and Yankees last season. The expectation is that Leiter will be used in a high-leverage role. However, Leiter will lack fantasy value in most leagues because he won't see regular save chances.

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.