Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was called up by the Cubs on June 21 but wasn't particularly sharp during his stint with the major-league club. He posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 21.1 innings over seven outings during his time in the big leagues and will head back to the minors as part of a move after Steven Brault's contract was selected Saturday.

Leiter (2-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits while retiring one batter via strikeout to take the loss Sunday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs probably didn't plan on using Leiter, who tossed five innings as the starting pitcher Thursday against the Dodgers, but Sunday starter Drew Smyly only lasted two frames in the 11-9 loss, so the team had to scramble. Leiter became the first Chicago pitcher to start a game and appear in relief during the same series since Daniel Norris accomplished that last season, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Leiter has made four starts and nine relief appearances so far this year, and he hasn't been particularly effective in either role, registering a 5.14 ERA across 35 innings.

Leiter (2-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter gave up only five hits in five innings, but all five went for extra bases, including three that left the yard. The right-hander did well with 5.1 frames of one-run ball after stepping in for Alec Mills (back) in the first inning against Boston last Saturday, but he was unable to duplicate that effort against Los Angeles. Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) recently joined Mills, Marcus Stroman (shoulder), Drew Smyly (oblique) and Wade Miley (shoulder) as Cubs starters on the injured list, so Leiter has a chance to keep a spot in the rotation, though that isn't guaranteed with both Stroman and Smyly expected to be back in action this weekend.

Leiter is scheduled to start Thursday's game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter joins the rotation as a replacement for Alec Mills (back), who exited seven pitches into his most recent start Sunday against the Red Sox and was moved to the 15-day injured list. Following Mills' departure, Leiter stepped in and struck out five over 5.1 innings of one-run ball, so the right-hander should be sufficiently stretched out as he prepares for his fourth start of the season with the big-league club.

Leiter (2-2) earned the win in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox. He allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Starter Alec Mills (back) exited the contest after just seven pitches and one out, with Leiter stepping in for his longest appearance of the year. The right-hander has started three of his 11 outings in the majors this year, and he'd be a candidate to join the rotation if Mills can't make his next scheduled start, though Marcus Stroman (shoulder) could be good to go by next weekend if he only needs one rehab start. Leiter has pitched to mixed results with a 4.85 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB through 29.2 innings overall.

Leiter (1-2) allowed two runs on four hits across two innings of relief to take the loss Saturday against the Cardinals. He didn't have any walks and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter allowed two hits in the seventh inning but escaped without allowing any runs, and the Cubs proceeded to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth. However, Leiter was less fortunate in the bottom of the frame. A one-out double followed by a wild pitch left a runner on third. Leiter then hit Harrison Bader with a pitch and followed that by allowing a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single. The righty has struggled this year with a 6.04 ERA, and he could get shipped back to Triple-A Iowa at some point.

Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter will join the Cubs on Tuesday for his fourth stint in the majors this season. The 31-year-old has appeared in seven games (three starts) and has a 6.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB over 17.1 innings.

Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter made two relief appearances after being called up May 29, and he allowed three runs while striking out four in five innings. However, he picked up his first major-league win of the season Wednesday against Milwaukee. The right-hander will head back to the minors as part of a move to make room on the active roster for Caleb Kilian, who will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Leiter (1-1) pitched a scoreless 10th inning in relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

With the Cubs having already used five pitchers through nine innings, Leiter got the 10th, which meant a runner starting on second base. He started the frame with a strikeout, but then a wild pitch advanced the runner to third with one out. Leiter got out of the pickle with a fielder's choice groundout to second baseman Nick Madrigal, who nailed the runner at the plate. The righty then got Tyrone Taylor to fly out to end the inning, and he earned his first win of 2022 when the Cubs scored in the bottom of the inning for the 4-3 victory. Leiter still doesn't have a ton of fantasy value at this point with a low-leverage role and a 6.08 ERA on the year.

The Cubs recalled Leiter from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the White Sox, but if the right-hander isn't needed, he could slot into the rotation for one half of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers as a replacement for Wade Miley (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. The Cubs still have five other healthy members of their rotation, but Leiter could still line up for a two-start week since Monday's doubleheader is followed by a twin bill five days later against the Cardinals.