Leiter recorded the final out of Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers to record his first save of the season.
He wasn't expected to get any work in when Devin Williams was called upon to protect a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, but two hits, two walks and a wild pitch led to three runs and forced Leiter onto the mound. The veteran right-hander got the job done on two pitches as he induced a pop-up from Justyn-Henry Malloy. Luke Weaver had worked the eighth inning, so Leiter's usage isn't an indication he's moved up in the Yankees' bullpen hierarchy. Leiter has a 5.79 ERA through 4.2 innings to begin the season, but he's been scored upon in only one of his six appearances, and his 7:2 K:BB is a better reflection of his performance so far in 2025. He has two holds and a win in addition to Wednesday's bonus save.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Sharp in spring return
Rotowire
Leiter (back) struck out the side in his lone inning of relief in Saturday's 8-7 Grapefruit League loss to the Phillies.
Leiter made his first appearance since March 6 after a back injury resulted in the Yankees keeping him off the pitching schedule for more than two weeks. The right-hander erased any concern about his health by tossing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while inducing four swings and misses. He'll likely be ticketed for a middle-relief role with the Yankees to open the season.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Faces hitters Wednesday
Rotowire
Leiter (back) completed an 18-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.
Leiter said after the workout that he feels ready to go for Opening Day, but the Yankees will likely want to see him pitch in at least one or two more Grapefruit League or minor-league games this spring before locking him into their bullpen to begin the season. The right-hander last pitched in the Grapefruit League on March 6 before the back injury cropped up.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Doesn't throw bullpen Sunday
Rotowire
Leiter (back) did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Leiter was scheduled to pitch against the Tigers on Thursday, but he was scratched due to a back injury. It's unclear whether his absence Sunday morning was due to aggravating the injury. Leiter was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees in late July, and across 21.2 regular-season innings with the Bronx Bombers he posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: On track for Opening Day
Rotowire
Leiter (back) said he felt good during his bullpen session Sunday and expects to be ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
It was reported earlier Sunday that Leiter didn't throw his live batting practice session as scheduled, but he still ended up taking the mound. The right-hander has been slowed the past few days by the back issue but could be good to go for the start of the season.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Managing back injury
Rotowire
Leiter didn't pitch as scheduled Thursday against the Tigers due to a back injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Leiter's injury doesn't seem to be anything too serious, but the Yankees are choosing to be cautious with the righty. He's slated to face hitters in a live batting practice session Sunday, and if all goes well he could return to playing in the Grapefruit League soon.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Loses arbitration hearing
Rotowire
Leiter lost his arbitration case against the Yankees on Saturday and will make $2.05 million in 2025, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP after being traded from Chicago to New York at last season's trade deadline. His underwhelming performance in pinstripes likely caused the arbitrators to side with the club and will ultimately result in him making $450,000 less than the $2.5 million he filed for. The 33-year-old righty is expected take on a role in middle relief for New York in 2025.
Leiter has been added to the Yankees' ALCS roster, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Leiter is the injury replacement for Ian Hamilton (calf). The 33-year-old Leiter held a 4.98 ERA over 21.2 innings after being acquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline, while he struck out 33 and tallied 86 strikeouts across 58 frames in 2024 between his time with the Cubs and Yankees.
Yankees' Mark Leiter: Reinstated from paternity list
Rotowire
The Yankees reinstated Leiter from the paternity list Sunday.
Leiter will be available out of the bullpen for the Yankees' regular-season finale against the Pirates. The 33-year-old reliever has a 4.58 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB over 57 innings this season.
The Yankees placed Leiter on the paternity list Thursday.
By rule, Leiter will miss the next 1-to-3 games while welcoming a new addition to the family. Scott Effross has been summoned from the minors to absorb Leiter's roster spot.
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