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

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.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that relievers Julian Merryweather (ribs) and Mark Leiter Jr. (forearm) would be activated next week and rejoin the club. Counsell said that both Merryweather and Leiter threw live batting practice sessions on Saturday, which went well. Merryweather is scheduled to report to Single-A South Bend on Sunday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. It is believed he will be there for the coming week to work his way back into the mix and could rejoin the team next weekend. The team expects Leiter to return this week when the Cubs head out on the road for a series with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals.