Rangers Pitcher Jack Leiter Switching to No. 22 to Match Father's Number

The 25-year-old is returning to the jersey number he wore at Vanderbilt University.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter is switching his jersey number from 35 to 22 for the 2026 season. The number 22 is the same one his father, former MLB player Al Leiter, wore during his career with the Mets and Marlins. Leiter had a breakout 2025 season, making 29 starts and pitching 151 innings while still classified as a rookie.

Why it matters

Leiter's switch to No. 22 is a nod to his baseball lineage, as he follows in the footsteps of his father Al, who had a successful 19-year MLB career. The number change also signals Leiter's growing status on the Rangers, as he looks to build on his strong 2025 campaign and cement his place in the team's starting rotation.

The details

Leiter previously wore No. 35 with the Rangers, while fellow pitcher Jon Gray occupied the No. 22 uniform. After a handful of appearances in 2024, Leiter, 25, took a big step forward in 2025, landing a rotation spot in spring training and making 29 starts while posting a 3.28 ERA over the second half of the season.

  • Leiter wore No. 22 during his time at Vanderbilt University.
  • Al Leiter wore No. 22 from 1998-2005 as a member of the Mets and Marlins.
  • Leiter will switch to No. 22 for the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Jack Leiter

A 25-year-old starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers who is switching his jersey number to 22 to match the number his father Al Leiter wore during his MLB career.

Al Leiter

A former MLB pitcher who played for the Mets and Marlins from 1998-2005 and wore the number 22 jersey.

Jon Gray

A Texas Rangers pitcher who previously wore the number 22 jersey that Jack Leiter is now switching to.

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What they’re saying

“Jack Leiter will be wearing a new number for the 2026 season.”

— MLB

The takeaway

Leiter's number change to 22 is a meaningful gesture that connects him to his baseball lineage and signals his growing importance to the Rangers as they look to build around their young pitching talent.