While manager Skip Schumaker hasn't made a final decision on how Leiter will be deployed upon his return, the right-hander ended up being used out of the bullpen for his third rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock. After making starts of 2.2 innings and three innings in his first two minor-league appearances, Leiter was rocked for three earned runs on three hits while also hitting a batter during his one-inning relief outing Wednesday. Though the Rangers haven't given up on using Leiter as a starter for the long term, he had struggled to a 5.29 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in his 15 turns through the big-league rotation this season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery June 23 to remove a loose body in his right ankle area.

Through his first two rehab starts -- one with Round Rock, one with Double-A Frisco -- Leiter has posted an 8:3 K:BB over 5.2 innings while yielding five runs (four earned) and four hits. He tossed 59 pitches in his most recent outing with Frisco and will look to build on that workload Wednesday before potentially making his return from the 60-day injured list. Leiter has been on the shelf since June 21 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery two days later to address a loose body near his right ankle region.