Leiter signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Cubs that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was pushed off the Cubs' 40-man roster last month, but he's back now with a chance to impress on the MLB side of spring camp. The 31-year-old right-hander worked to a respectable 3.99 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 73:25 K:BB ratio over 67.2 innings with Chicago during the 2022 regular season.

Leiter elected free agency Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend after he went unclaimed off waivers when the Cubs designated him for assignment. The right-hander will likely draw some interest on the market after posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB in 67.2 innings at the big-league level for Chicago in 2022 over 35 appearances.

Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week but will remain with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The right-hander made 35 appearances (four starts) in the majors last year and posted a 3.99 ERA, 73:25 K:BB and 1.14 WHIP in 67.2 innings.

Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Eric Hosmer. Leiter had a solid 2022 season, posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings while picking up three saves along the way. There might be some interest in him on waivers.

Leiter picked up the save Thursday in Pittsburgh, striking out four in 2.1 innings while walking two and hitting a batter in a 3-2 win.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter entered the game in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out Rodolfo Castro to end the inning. He walked a batter in the eighth and had runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth but escaped both situations unscathed. It was his third save of the season and second in September. In the second half, he's posted a 1.75 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB in 25.2 innings across 18 relief appearances.

Leiter pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Brandon Hughes pitched the last two nights, while Rowan Wick worked the seventh inning Wednesday, so the Cubs turned to Leiter in the ninth. The righty responded with his second save in four chances this season. The lefty Hughes as emerged as the team's primary closer, with Wick offering a right-handed option, so Leiter likely won't see a ton more save opportunities the rest of the year.

Leiter (2-7) allowed two runs on two hits while retiring just two batters to take the loss Thursday against the Reds. He walked one and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter has had a rough go of things in terms of record, but he's been pitching pretty well lately. Coming into Thursday, the righty had a 1.69 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 16 innings since the beginning of August. Leiter should stick in a prominent bullpen role for the Cubs, though his fantasy value will remain capped unless he can begin turning some of the losses into wins.

Leiter (2-6) allowed an unearned run on one hit across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in extra innings Monday against the Blue Jays. He walked two and had no strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter took his sixth loss of the season, but he didn't pitch poorly, as both of his walks were intentional. His only real mistake was a walkoff single he allowed to Danny Jansen in the 11th inning, which brought home the runner that started the frame on second base. Even with the loss, Leiter has been outstanding recently with a 1.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts across 14 innings this month. The righty has settled into a regular bullpen role with the Cubs now that the likes of Scott Effross, David Robertson and Mychal Givens are no longer around.

Leiter pitched a scoreless 11th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago used five relievers before turning to Leiter, but he made the most of the opportunity with a lead and earned his first MLB save. The righty has quietly been pretty solid since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on July 30, recording a 1.46 ERA across 12.1 innings. Leiter is still more of a long reliever for the Cubs, so he shouldn't see regular save chances moving forward.

Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was sent to the minors in mid-July but will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after Chris Martin was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. Over 14 appearances (four starts) in the majors this year, Leiter has posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 38.2 innings.