The return of Texas Ranger pitcher Cody Bradford from internal brace surgery has been both eagerly awaited and a topic of much discussion among Rangers fans over the winter. Jeff Wilson talked to Bradford this morning in Surprise, and we have good news in regards to an update.
Per Wilson, Bradford is throwing his seventh bullpen session today, and after the first six featured all fastballs, Bradford will be looking to throw “8-10” changeups today. Bradford also said he is “[s]till aiming for a May return.”
This is one of those situations where no news — or at least, no change in the news — is good news. May has been what has been suggested as a target date for Bradford’s return for some time, and the fact that he is still on track to do that is a positive. And while I will note that a “May return” is kind of vague and could be interpreted different ways — does that mean a return to the big leagues in May, for example, or a return to pitching in competitive games in May, which would mean starting a rehab assignment then — Bradford has previously indicated that he was hopeful to be close to being ready to go out on a rehab assignment soon after the season starts, which would seem to mean that May is when he would potentially be ready to return to the big club.
Bradford followed up an up-and-down rookie season in 2023 with a 2024 campaign that saw him perform well when he was healthy enough to be on the mound. Bradford put up a 3.54 ERA and 3.44 xERA for Texas in 2024, making 13 starts and a relief appearance and throwing 76 innings. It was hoped that Bradford would be able to step up and claim a rotation spot in 2025, establishing himself as a member of the rotation, before his elbow issues ended up costing him the season.
The Rangers currently have a front four in the rotation you have to feel good about, with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore and Jack Leiter. Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz appear to be the favorites to claim the fifth spot in the rotation to start the season, with Jose Corniell also a possibility to contribute to the rotation at some point in 2026, and non-roster invitees Cal Quantrill, Pat Murphy and Austin Gomber in camp.
If Bradford can return on schedule and perform like he did in 2024, the Rangers would have a very solid 1 through 5 on paper, and allow them the luxury of using Latz in the bullpen as a swingman, having Rocker in AAA as depth along with any veterans who don’t opt out, and allowing Corniell, along with the likes of David Davalillo and Winston Santos, to get regular starts in the minors.