Leiter didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 extra-inning win over Atlanta, giving up two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings. He didn't strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old righty needed 45 pitches (26 strikes) to get his six outs before making way for Keegan Thompson. It was Leiter's shortest outing yet in three starts since being plugged into the Cubs' rotation, but he even his longest outing was only four innings. His 8.68 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB through 9.1 IP give fantasy managers little reason to roster him.

Leiter allowed two runs on three hits across four innings and did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates. He walked two and struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

This was better than Leiter's first start of the season, when he allowed seven runs across 3.1 innings at Coors Field. A Daniel Vogelbach two-run home run accounted for all of the damage against the righty, who was limited to 72 pitches in his second appearance of the year. Leiter figures to stick in the rotation for now with Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) on the injured list. He's slated to pitch again Wednesday against Atlanta, but he may move into the bullpen after that.

Leiter will start Thursday's game against the Pirates in Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Despite getting lit up for seven earned runs over 3.1 innings in his Cubs debut last weekend in Colorado, Leiter will make a second turn in the rotation while starting pitchers Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) remain on the injured list. Once one of those two pitchers are healthy, Leiter will likely lose his spot in rotation, and potentially his spot on the 40-man roster, too.

Leiter (0-1) allowed seven runs on five hits across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rockies. He walked four and struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter was too hittable to succeed at Coors Field, and the walks didn't help the cause either. The big blow was a C.J. Cron two-run home run in the third inning, which came after two free passes in the frame. Leiter was making his first MLB appearance since 2018, so it was probably wise to temper expectations, especially in such a notorious hitter's park. The 31-year-old may stick in the rotation, however, with Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) both out. Leiter may also shift into a long-relief role moving forward.

Leiter's contract was selected by the Cubs ahead of Saturday's start against the Rockies, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager David Ross confirmed Friday that Leiter would serve as Saturday's starter, and the right-hander is officially in line to make his first major-league appearance since 2018. In his lone start at Triple-A Iowa to begin the season, he allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in four innings. Since Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) remain out, Leiter will likely be a candidate to remain in the rotation until his teammates are cleared to return.

Leiter will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter joined the Cubs' taxi squad Friday, and his contract will be selected prior to Saturday's matchup in Colorado. The right-hander hasn't made a major-league start since 2017, but he allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in four innings during a start at Iowa to begin the 2022 season. The Cubs' starting rotation is shorthanded while Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) are on the injured list, so it's possible that Leiter continues to fill in as a starter if he performs well Saturday.

Leiter was added to the Cubs' taxi squad Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal in mid-December, but he's a prime candidate to start Saturday's game in Colorado since the team hasn't yet announced a starter for the matchup. The 31-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2018, but he allowed one run while striking out seven in four innings during his season debut at Triple-A Iowa last week.

Leiter signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter owns an unimpressive 5.53 ERA in 114 major-league innings, the last of which came back in 2018. The 30-year-old spent the 2021 season in the Tigers' system, where he cruised to a 3.34 ERA and an impressive 30.5 percent strikeout rate in 15 starts and two relief appearances for Triple-A Toledo.

Leiter agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers earlier this month, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter returns to affiliated ball after having most recently pitched for the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2020. He previously made 47 appearances at the big-league level between Philadelphia and Toronto in 2017 and 2018, but he hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2019. He'll likely open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Toledo or Double-A Erie in his new organization.

Leiter (elbow) signed with the Diamondbacks at the start of camp, the righty announced on his personal Instagram page.

EDGE Analysis

Leiter underwent Tommy John surgery last March. A typical recovery timeline would see him back in game action sometime this summer. Leiter owns a career 5.53 ERA in 114 major-league innings, but you don't have to squint too hard to see a pitcher who at least fits in a low-leverage role in the big leagues. His 20.5 percent strikeout rate is a few points below league average, but his 8.3 percent walk rate is right at league average while his 48.2 percent groundball rate is better than average.