Jon

Leicester

Leicester, who earned his first major league victory Sunday, will likely return to Chicago once one of the Cubs’ other pitchers is injured.

''He showed something today,’' catcher Michael Barrett said. ''He wanted it bad today. That was his game. He knew it, and he wanted it.’'

Kyle Farnsworth has been getting the Darren Dreifort treatment in Chicago, and the Cubs are running out of patience with the inconsistent pitcher. Joe Borowski could begin a rehab assignment Friday, so he could fill an important role by the end of the month. The question is whether he could get his closer’s job back and push LaTroy Hawkins to his most effective role of setup man.

Without injured Kyle Farnsworth, Cubs manager Dusty Baker said he will “mix and match” his bullpen in the setup spot. Right-handers Todd Wellemeyer, who was recalled to replace Farnsworth, and Jon Leicester are likely to be used, with Kent Mercker and Mike Remlinger the options from the left side. Joe Borowski could be added to the mix soon as well. We’re not sure the fantasy value of these players will be affected much though.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels’ first pickup looks like a very good one. Leicester was quite the disappointment last season, but the Cubs are giving up on him way too quickly. He has the fastball-slider combination to be a quality setup man. Expect him to win a spot in the Texas bullpen next spring.

He takes LaTroy Hawkins’ place on the roster. Still to be determined is whether he or Todd Wellemeyer will step into Mark Prior’s rotation spot. Leicester is more interesting as a reliever.

Leicester didn’t pitch in three days with the Cubs.

It may not hold true from a fantasy standpoint, but Leicester should be the second most valuable reliever the Cubs have this year, behind only LaTroy Hawkins. Manager Dusty Baker won’t ever want to turn over closing duties to him, but there’s a slight chance he could force his way into the role before season’s end.

Leicester has been out since May 12 with a shoulder injury.

Who saw this coming? The Orioles had won just four of their last 22 games, and the Angels outscored them 28-11 in the first two games of the series before losing 3-0 tonight. Leicester also beat the Red Sox on Saturday, though he wasn’t nearly as impressive then, allowing four runs in five innings. He’ll spend the rest of the year in the rotation.