Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter has been placed on the injured list with a left ankle injury, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled pitcher Jose Corniell.
Leiter had been dealing with the ankle issue for most of the season, but reportedly made it worse slipping on the on deck circle in the Rangers’ April contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. You remember the play, I’m sure, but in case you need a reminder, here it is:
The general reaction
to the play at the time was, oh shit, now Jack Leiter is hurt. I think most of us of were surprised he even stayed in the game. Per Chris Young, Leiter felt he could pitch through the issue, but scans after his last outing showed it had gotten worse, so he’s being shut down so the ankle can heal.
One might wonder whether the Rangers would have made this move sooner if they had a viable option to replace Leiter in the rotation. Jacob Latz, who was the de facto sixth starter early on, has taken on the closer role, and given the injuries the bullpen is dealing with currently, along with ineffectiveness by a lot of the non-Latz relievers, trying to stretch him out and have him starting again isn’t realistic.
It is worth noting, though, that Jordan Montgomery is beginning a rehab assignment with Frisco. He’s recuperating from Tommy John surgery, and so probably isn’t a realistic option in the rotation until after the All Star Break, but there is some help on the way.
Corniell returned in the second half of the 2025 season from Tommy John surgery and pitched extremely well in the minors, earning a late season callup, and ultimately being the last Rangers pitcher to pitch in 2025, as his major league debut ended in a walkoff homer in his second inning of work in extra innings in Cleveland. He got off to a bit of a rocky start to the season, but in his last two appearances has allowed two runs in nine innings while striking out six and not walking anyone. He presumably will be used out of the pen for the time being.
In case you’re curious, here’s the Rangers’ current nine man major league bullpen:
Jacob Latz
Jakob Junis
Tyler Alexander
Cole Winn
Cal Quantrill
Peyton Gray
Robb Ahlstrom
Joe Ross
Jose Corniell
Yeah, probably need to leave Latz in the pen for now…
