NEWSLETTER
Mark Leiter Jr. has done well enough for the Cubs as a pseudo-opener/starting pitcher (well … after that first outing in Colorado). And for that, we thank him. But after tossing three innings over the last three days, the Cubs are shuttling him down to Iowa for a fresh arm.
The #Cubs today recalled LHP Locke St. John from @IowaCubs and optioned RHP Mark Leiter Jr. to Iowa. pic.twitter.com/Yyku7ZU0ag
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 30, 2022
Leiter Jr. has allowed just 2 earned runs over his last 7.0 innings pitched (again, following a blow up at Coors Field). I’m sure we’ll see him again soon enough. In his place, the Cubs are calling up left-hander Locke St. John, who’s been a multi-inning reliever at Iowa this season.
Locke St. John has given up a run in all but one of his five appearances so far (5.14 ERA), and he’s been a little wild (15.8 BB%). But he hasn’t pitched since Tuesday, so he should be able to give the Cubs multiple innings today if needed (especially since Sean Newcomb also pitched last night and Keegan Thompson threw three innings on Wednesday). I’m guessing they want Thompson to have at least another day of rest before another 3.0+ inning appearance. And with Justin Steele on the mound, trending in the wrong direction lately, this was all the more necessary.
