| Mark Leiter Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Leiter Jr. with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 | |
| Athletics | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-03-13)March 13, 1991 (age 34) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 28, 2017, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 16–29 |
| Earned run average | 4.60 |
| Strikeouts | 396 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Mark Edward Leiter Jr. (born March 13, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theAthletics ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for thePhiladelphia Phillies,Toronto Blue Jays,Chicago Cubs, andNew York Yankees. Leiter playedcollege baseball at theNew Jersey Institute of Technology. He was selected by the Phillies in the 22nd round of the2013 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2017.
Leiter attendedToms River High School North inToms River, New Jersey and playedcollege baseball at theNew Jersey Institute of Technology.
He was drafted by thePhiladelphia Phillies in the 22nd round of the2013 Major League Baseball draft[1][2] and signed. He made his professional debut that year with theGCL Phillies and he was promoted to theClearwater Threshers andLakewood BlueClaws during the season. In 45 innings pitched between the three teams, he was 4–0 with a 1.20 ERA. In 2014, he played for Lakewood and Clearwater, compiling a combined 9–12 record and 4.35 ERA in 27 total starts, and in 2015, he pitched with Clearwater and theReading Fighting Phils, going 8–7 with a 3.09 ERA in 27 games (21 starts). Leiter spent 2016 with Reading where he pitched to a 6–3 record and 3.39 ERA in 23 games (17 starts).[3] He began 2017 with theLehigh Valley IronPigs.
Leiter was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on April 18, 2017,[4] making his debut on April 28.[5] He finished his rookie season with a 3–6 record and a 4.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 27 appearances (11 starts).[6] He began 2018 on thedisabled list and was optioned to Lehigh Valley after he was activated.
On September 1, 2018, Leiter was claimed off waivers by theToronto Blue Jays.[7] He was activated from the disabled list on September 3 and made 8 appearances for Toronto, struggling to a 13.50 ERA with 9 strikeouts across6+2⁄3 innings. Leiter wasdesignated for assignment by the Blue Jays on November 26.[8] He later cleared waivers and was assigned to the Triple–ABuffalo Bisons.
On March 17, 2019, the Blue Jays organization announced Leiter would miss the entire season after undergoingTommy John surgery.[9] Leiter elected free agency following the season on November 4.[10]
On February 13, 2020, Leiter signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[11] Leiter was released by the Diamondbacks organization on May 22.
On July 9, 2020, Leiter signed with theSomerset Patriots of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[12] He did not play in a game for the Patriots due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,[13] though he would participate in a pop-up series of games that the team would create called theSOMERSET Professional Baseball Series.[14]
On March 24, 2021, Leiter signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers organization.[15] Leiter split the 2021 season with the Double-AErie SeaWolves and the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens. He made 25 appearances, going 10–8 with a 3.77 ERA and 145 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
On December 17, 2021, Leiter signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.[16] On April 16, 2022, Leiter's contract was selected by the Cubs.[17] On August 16, Leiter recorded his first careersave in a game against theWashington Nationals.[18] In 35 appearances for Chicago, Leiter registered a 2–7 record and 3.99 ERA with 73 strikeouts in67+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On January 13, 2023, Leiter was designated for assignment by Chicago after the signing ofEric Hosmer was made official.[19] On January 19, Leiter cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–AIowa Cubs.[20] However, four days later, Leiter rejected the outright assignment and elected free agency.[21] On February 2, Leiter re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract.[22] On March 30, the Cubs selected Leiter's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[23] In 69 relief appearances, he logged a 3.50 ERA with 77 strikeouts and four saves across64+1⁄3 innings pitched.[24]
Leiter made 39 appearances out of thebullpen for the Cubs in 2024, compiling a 2–4 record and 4.21 ERA with 53 strikeouts over36+1⁄3 innings pitched.[25]
On July 30, 2024, the Cubs traded Leiter Jr. to theNew York Yankees in exchange for infielderBen Cowles and pitcherJack Neely.[26] He made 21 appearances down the stretch for the team, posting a 2-1 record and 4.98 ERA with 33 strikeouts across21+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Leiter made 59 appearances out of the bullpen for the Yankees during the 2025 season, compiling a 6-7 record and 4.84 ERA with 54 strikeouts and two saves across48+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 21, 2025, he was non-tendered by New York and became a free agent.[27]
On December 17, 2025, Leiter signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract with theAthletics.[28]
His father,Mark Leiter, and uncle,Al Leiter, pitched in the major leagues.[29] His cousin,Jack Leiter, is currently a pitcher for theTexas Rangers.[30]
Leiter has been a resident of theLanoka Harbor section ofLacey Township, New Jersey.[31]
