Blue Jays claim Mark Leiter Jr. off waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed Mark Leiter Jr. off waivers on Saturday. Photo Credit: Associated Press

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

With expanded rosters now in play, the Toronto Blue Jays added another arm to the mix on Saturday by claiming right-handed pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The nephew of former big league southpaw Al Leiter, who pitched in 91 games for the Blue Jays between 1989 to 1995, the 27-year-old has gone 32-24 with an overall WHIP 1.211 in 123 minor league games since becoming a 22nd round draft pick of the Phillies in 2013.

A 6-foot hurler out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Leiter Jr. joins the organization having pitched to an ERA of 5.03 with 97 strikeouts against 39 walks across 39 appearances at the Major League level, 11 of which have come as a starter.

As September promises to serve as an audition for future consideration, Leiter Jr. could conceivably compete for starting role in 2019. Other hopefuls include Ryan Borucki, Sean Reid-Foley, Thomas Pannone and  T.J. Zeuch, all of which will look to join established hurlers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez in Toronto's rotation next April.

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