Jack Leiter giving the Texas Rangers another encouraging sign as the right-hander works his way back from ankle surgery.
The Texas Rangers are getting closer to having Jack Leiter back on the mound, with the young right-hander taking another important step in his recovery on August 13.
Leiter began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock, making his first competitive appearance since undergoing surgery on his right ankle earlier this season. The procedure on June 23 was performed to remove a loose body, and Leiter has remained on the Injured List since.
His return comes at an important point in the Rangers’ season. Texas is entering the final portion of the schedule, leaving the organization with limited time to determine how Leiter can best contribute if he is able to return to the Major-League club.
Leiter worked 2.2 scoreless innings in his first rehab outing, allowing one hit and one walk while recording three strikeouts. He threw 48 pitches, giving the Rangers a manageable workload as they begin the process of stretching him back toward a starting role.
The outing itself was less about the final numbers and more about getting Leiter back into a competitive environment.
After missing several weeks following surgery, Leiter now has an opportunity to gradually rebuild his workload and regain the rhythm that comes with facing hitters. The Rangers can use his rehab appearances to evaluate how his ankle responds between outings while determining how quickly he can progress.
Leiter is expected to remain on a starter's buildup for at least another appearance. That gives Texas additional time to evaluate his recovery before deciding where he ultimately fits.
Before landing on the Injured List, Leiter had made 15 starts for Texas and posted a 5.29 ERA. His season had included stretches of encouraging work as well as difficult outings, making his eventual return particularly important for a Rangers team looking for reliable pitching options.
The organization also has to consider how much Leiter can realistically provide after missing significant time. Even if he returns healthy, he may not immediately be capable of handling a full starter's workload.
That could open the door to several possibilities.
The Rangers could continue developing Leiter as a traditional starter, transition him to the bullpen or use him in a piggyback role alongside another pitcher. The decision will likely depend on his progression over the next few rehab outings and the club's needs during the final stretch.
For now, the biggest development is simply that Leiter is back facing hitters. His first rehab appearance gives Texas a starting point as it works toward determining whether he can become part of the pitching plans down the stretch.
