Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter is moving closer to a return to the major leagues after completing his second rehabilitation appearance since undergoing ankle surgery earlier this season. The young right-hander is gradually rebuilding his workload and testing his health as the Rangers navigate an increasingly important stretch of the 2026 season.
Leiter made his latest rehab start Thursday night with Double-A Frisco, continuing his recovery from arthroscopic surgery performed in June. The procedure was carried out on June 23 to remove a loose body from his right ankle after he was dealing with ankle impingement. Before the injury forced him to the sidelines, Leiter had made 15 starts for Texas and posted a 5.29 ERA.
The second rehab outing provided a mixture of encouraging signs and areas for continued improvement.
Leiter worked three-plus innings, recording five strikeouts while allowing five runs, four of them earned, on three hits and two walks. He threw 59 pitches, with 38 finding the strike zone. His performance was particularly promising early, as he looked sharp through the first two innings before encountering trouble in the third.
An error helped extend the inning and opened the door for a four-run rally by Wichita. Leiter then issued a leadoff walk in the fourth inning before his night came to an end. While the final line was not spectacular, the primary objective of the assignment was to continue building his arm strength and, just as importantly, determine how his surgically repaired ankle responds to increased game activity.
For Leiter, simply returning to competitive action represents another significant milestone.
The Rangers have not yet determined exactly how they will use him when he is ready to return. Leiter indicated that there have not been direct conversations about continuing his buildup with the major-league club as a starter, although the organization has considered the possibility of bringing him back as a reliever for the final weeks of the season.
That option could become more complicated following Nathan Eovaldi’s placement on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Eovaldi’s absence has created another hole in the Rangers’ pitching staff at a particularly important time, potentially increasing the value of Leiter’s eventual return.
The Rangers could still choose to give Leiter another rehabilitation start before activating him. Much will depend on how his ankle responds over the coming days and whether he can continue increasing his workload without experiencing setbacks.
Leiter emphasized that he is approaching the process patiently rather than trying to rush his return. His focus is on following the team’s recovery plan, taking each day as it comes and allowing his body to respond naturally to the increased workload.
The Rangers had recently appeared close to having their rotation back in strong shape, with Cody Bradford and Jordan Montgomery returning from their respective injury recoveries. Eovaldi’s setback, however, has once again exposed the club’s need for reliable pitching depth.
That makes Leiter’s recovery even more significant.
Whether Texas ultimately places him back into the rotation or deploys him out of the bullpen, a healthy Leiter could provide the pitching staff with a valuable boost during the final stretch of the season. The organization will likely prioritize his health over rushing him back, but if his ankle continues to respond positively, another rehab appearance could put him one step closer to rejoining the Rangers.
With Texas battling for the AL West and a postseason berth, Leiter’s return could arrive at an especially important moment for a club that desperately needs pitching depth.
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