Mark Leiter Jr. traded to Yankees from Cubs

Leiter will follow his father, Mark Sr. (1990), and uncle Al (1987-89, 2005) in donning the pinstripes, as he will be counted upon to provide a swing-and-miss presence that the club’s bullpen has sorely lacked this season.

“We’re excited to get him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We feel like getting him makes us better, and I know he’s excited to get here and can’t wait to get in the mix.”

TRADE DETAILS
Yankees receive: RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
Cubs receive: RHP Jack Neely, INF Ben Cowles

In exchange for the 33-year-old Leiter, the Yankees swapped a pair of Top 30 prospects in right-hander Jack Neely and Ben Cowles. Boone said that Leiter is traveling to Philadelphia and could be available out of the bullpen on Tuesday.

Leiter had a 2-4 record and a 4.21 ERA in 39 appearances for the Cubs, striking out 53 batters in 36 1/3 innings — a 13.1 strikeouts-per-nine ratio that ranked as the fifth highest among relievers in the National League and 10th in MLB.

With a 34.9% strikeout rate, Leiter ranked fifth among NL relievers, while his 14.3% rate of allowing inherited runners to score was the best in the NL and third lowest in the Majors.

Since returning from the injured list on July 9, Leiter has retired all 23 batters he’s faced over seven relief appearances, including 14 via strikeout during that stretch (7 2/3 innings).

“Not a lot of hits, doesn’t walk a ton of guys and a lot of swing-and-miss there,” Boone said. “He’s also thrown the ball really well here this last month, and that’s intriguing, too.”

Opponents have especially struggled against Leiter’s splitter this season, going 3-for-57 (.053) with zero extra-base hits. He has also held left-handed batters to a .213 batting average and a .657 OPS in his career.

With the bullpen, rotation and a corner-infield bat thought to be on the Yankees’ wish list ahead of the Trade Deadline, they also tweaked their bullpen by trading left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Astros for Minor League right-hander Kelly Austin and international bonus pool money.

Ferguson, 28, posted a 5.13 ERA across 42 appearances for New York after being acquired from the Dodgers in February.

“He never got to that good, dominating place with us, but he did some really good things with us as well,” Boone said.

Tuesday’s trade for Leiter follows a move this past weekend to acquire infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins in exchange for three Minor League prospects. After the Yanks’ 14-4 win over the Phillies on Monday, captain Aaron Judge said he is hoping to see the club do more.

“Other teams are making moves,” Judge said. “Hopefully we start making moves too. We’ll see.”