Arizona Diamondbacks: Mark Leiter Jr. back in an MLB camp
The Arizona Diamondbacks are throwing a bone to Mark Leiter Jr. as he hopes to get back to the big leagues after Tommy John surgery.
Mark Leiter Jr. signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks though he will have to wait a while before participating in any spring training games. Leiter is recovering from Tommy John surgery which caused him to miss all the 2019 season.
The Diamondbacks will be the third franchise Leiter has pitched for following stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. His track record with both teams is subject at best though he will try to put that behind him as his new elbow gives him somewhat of a fresh start.
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In 47 career Major League games Leiter has appeared primarily as a middle reliever. He has pitched to the tune of a 5.53 earned run average and is prone to giving up the gopher ball. Leiter has also been plagued by his failure to find the strike zone. Coming off a major elbow surgery will not make throwing strikes any easier.
You may recognize the name as Mark Leiter Jr. is indeed the namesake son of former Major League pitcher Mark Leiter, who won 65 games spanning an eleven-year career. Former pitcher Al Leiter is an uncle and had a more storied career, toeing the rubber for nineteen seasons, winning 162.
The odds will be against Mark Leiter Jr. and his hopes of making the Arizona Diamondbacks roster once he fully recovers. Leiter will presumably begin throwing competitively once camp breaks and the Diamondbacks begin the season.
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He’ll stay in extended spring training and build up his arm strength. My guess is if Leiter can stay healthy he is destined for a season at Triple-A. If the relievers with the big club get bitten by the injury bug it is possible Leiter finds his way back to the Majors.