ARLINGTON -- On a cloudy September Sunday morning in Minneapolis, Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter faced designated hitter Joc Pederson in a live batting practice session ahead of Game 162.
Leiter was confident that if the Rangers were to make the postseason, he would be able to contribute out of the bullpen. But just hours after that live BP, Texas’ postseason hopes came to an end as the club missed out on the AL West title by two games.
Leiter, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body from his right ankle area on June 23, would not take the mound again in 2026. But it was nice to finish on a high note -- whether in an official game or not -- before going into the offseason.
“I didn't look at any of [the velo or pitch shapes], but from my eyes, it felt good,” Leiter said after his live BP. “Obviously, it's not going to be super crisp, but for the most part, the fastball command was a pleasant surprise. I was kind of able to hit the spots for having not really done it much recently. There was a lot of good in terms of command and pitch shapes and how my body was rolling.”
Leiter had posted a 3.86 ERA in 29 starts in his first full big league season in 2025, but the ankle injury nagged him early in his sophomore campaign. He made his start every turn through the rotation, even after tripping over the on-deck circle on April 22 against the Pirates, but the ankle clearly hindered him down the stretch.
Leiter ultimately collected 83 strikeouts in 80 innings on the season (9.34 K/9), but he also issued 35 walks (3.94 BB/9), including one or more in every start and two or more in each of his last eight starts from May 9-June 18. Even as he did his best to pitch through the ankle discomfort, it ultimately led to a 5.29 ERA in 15 starts before he landed on the injured list on June 21.
Leiter made three rehab appearances -- two starts and one out of the bullpen -- with the aim of making his way back before the end of the regular season. But then he ran into a weeks-long shutdown due to biceps soreness he felt during his last rehab appearance on Aug. 26.
Leiter was meant to be a major part of the Rangers’ rotation plans in 2026, especially after the strides he made throughout his rookie season the previous year. Instead, his season came to a premature end.
“It’s been very frustrating,” Leiter said during the final homestand of the year. “Long-term injuries from the start, like arm surgeries, you know you're in it for the long run. In this case, it was kind of a tease at times, thinking that it was going to be shorter than it was. I think I've learned a lot through this process. We have a really good foundation for what the offseason is going to look like, what we want to work on, and I want it to look like and feel like going into next year. That is, obviously, a positive. But yeah, it's been very frustrating.”
After weeks of checking boxes, Leiter had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
While it was disappointing to not pitch again in 2026 -- and who knows if he actually would have ultimately been able to pitch in the postseason -- Leiter is ready for a fully normal and healthy offseason going into ’27.
Asked if there was anything positive to take away from a frustrating 2026, Leiter said he learned a lot about himself. In fact, this was the first surgery Leiter had in his professional career. The entire thing was a learning situation. But it was more mental than anything.
“Patience, for one,” he said. “I think also carrying yourself in a positive way, even when things aren't necessarily going the way you want them to for yourself, and finding a way to contribute and cheer these guys on. As it's been frustrating for myself, but I remembered how much I love pitching, [even when] not being able to do it. I just want to be out there, so don't take that for granted once I'm back out there.”