One Factor May Influence if Rangers Return Jack Leiter to Majors Soon

As the Texas Rangers try to determine what’s next for Jack Leiter, one piece of the puzzle will be on display this weekend in Arlington.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter. Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jack Leiter’s second rehab start wasn’t exactly perfection. But it’s done and now the Texas Rangers must weigh their options.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker usually watches video of every rehab game and he took in Leiter’s. He also talked to the injured right-hander on Friday. He relayed Leiter’s one-word description of the outing.

“Grindy,” he said to reporters, including Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required).

What happens next depends on a variety of factors, including one Schumaker pointed out during his pre-game visit with the media.

The Factor that Could Influence Jack Leiter’s Next Step

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Schumaker said the next step might be the most critical one, at least in the short term.

“I want to see what the bullpen kind of looks like in a couple of days and then we’ll figure out where to go,” Schumaker said.

He did like that Leiter was able to reach 100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. But the bullpen — which is a typical exercise between starts — should tell him more.

There are two questions at work here. First is how far he’s stretched out? From his live batting practice two weeks ago, when he threw 33 pitches, he’s gone from that to 48 pitches in his first rehab game last week to 58 pitches on Thursday. Major League teams like their starting pitchers to be stretched out to 75 pitches before activation. He’s short of that.

But Texas could insert him into the bullpen at this point. He could handle long relief at this stage and join the staff on the next road trip. He could even piggyback with another starter to protect the bullpen in a tandem.

The other is the quality of his last outing. He was sharp in his first rehab game, but he has issues with command in his second outing. Was that him working on his command or his command slipping away? Only Leiter and the coaching staff really know.

The bullpen may tell Schumaker what he needs to know. The way the staff pitches this weekend may also direct the decision.