WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Texas Rangers will decide whether Jack Leiter makes another minor league rehab start or returns to the major league roster.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said the club will talk through both options, according to The Dallas Morning News. Leiter could make another rehab start or return to Texas.
“The main thing is he felt good,” Schumaker said. “That’s the No. 1 question we had. No issue arm-wise or ankle-wise.”
Leiter threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday in his first game action since undergoing ankle surgery in June. He threw 32 of 48 pitches for strikes, and his four-seam fastball sat between 96 and 97 mph.
Jack Leiter Returns To Game Action After Ankle Surgery
Leiter injured the ankle April 22 during a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. He tripped near the on-deck circle while backing up an errant throw. Leiter continued pitching until June.
Texas put him on the 15-day injured list June 21, retroactive to June 19, with right ankle posterior impingement. Two days later, Leiter underwent arthroscopic surgery at Duke University to remove a loose body. Dr. Ned Amendola performed the procedure.
The Rangers later transferred Leiter to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot for infielder Jonah Bride.
Leiter becomes eligible for activation Aug. 18.
In 15 starts this season, Leiter is 3-7 with a 5.29 ERA. He has allowed 80 hits and 47 earned runs in 80 innings, with 35 walks and 83 strikeouts.
His final 3 starts before surgery all came in June. Leiter went 0-3 with a 9.88 ERA and 9 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings.
Texas selected Leiter second overall out of Vanderbilt in the 2021 MLB Draft. He signed on July 28 for a $7.92 million bonus.
Leiter made his major league debut April 18, 2024. He is 26.
Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi Remain Out
Jacob deGrom left Thursday’s start against the Los Angeles Angels after 2 innings with right triceps tightness. He is scheduled to play catch Sunday. His next scheduled start is Wednesday against the Washington Nationals.
Nathan Eovaldi has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 10 with right posterior elbow inflammation. His range of motion has improved and some swelling has gone down, but Texas does not have a date for him to resume playing catch.
The Rangers lost 8-3 to the Athletics on Friday for their fourth straight defeat. Jake Burger hit a three-run home run in the sixth for all 3 Texas runs.
Texas is 60-63 and three games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West.
Cody Bradford is listed as the Texas starter for Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. CT series finale at Sutter Health Park.
