Sacramento Athletics sign former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander

A few days after signing infielder Michael Stefanic to a minor league contract, the Athletics have added a pitcher to their ranks. Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. on a one-year contract. According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the deal is worth roughly $3MM in guaranteed money.

Leiter has been in the big leagues since 2017, but didn't really come into his own until 2022 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He served as a hybrid/swingman that year, before moving exclusively to the bullpen the past few seasons.

His success with the Cubs prompted the New York Yankees to initiate a trade for him midway through the 2024 season. He had decent numbers but regressed slightly in 2025, going 6-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 59 games. The Yankees non-tendered him at the end of the season.

In addition to the Cubs and Yanks, Leiter has also suited for the Philadelphia Phillies, and had a brief eight game cameo with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.

It was with Toronto that his career was curtailed by injuries. He missed all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery and did not appear in another big league game until 2022.

Leiter was the second member of his family to pitch for the Blue Jays, and is one of four Leiters to appear in a big league game.

After coming up with the Yankees, Leiter's uncle Al broke through with the Blue Jays. He ultimately spent 6.5 years with the team and was part of the 1992 and 1993 World Series-winning team's.

Al's son - and Mark Jr.'s cousin - Jack is a starting pitcher with the Texas Rangers, and Leiter's father Mark Sr.. played for eight teams over an 11 year career.