BAYVILLE, NJ – The Leiter family is one of baseball’s most respected names here at the Jersey Shore after years of professional baseball experience by brothers Mark and Al. Now, Mark’s son Mark Jr. is getting a second shot at big league play after having his career temporarily halted in 2019 with Tommy John surgery.
Leiter played for the Phillies and BlueJays in 2017 and 2018. He came back in 2021 and played in the minor leagues in the Tigers’ farm system.
This year, he was picked up by the Cubs and got his first start against the Rockies in Colorado.
After two scoreless innings, the wheels came off.
He gave up 7 runs in 3.1 innings, striking out 4 and walking 4.
Leiter is hoping to get another chance in the rotation on Thursday, saying his nerves got the best of him since it was his first big league game since 2018.
“Going forward, it’ll be more normal,” he said. “I’m proud to be back and get in a game like that, but I want to be better than that.”