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The Texas Rangers entered the offseason knowing their rotation would look top-heavy. What they did not know was exactly when one of their most intriguing internal options would be ready to help stabilize the back end.
That question now has a clearer answer.
Left-hander Cody Bradford is targeting a return sometime in May as he continues his recovery from last summer’s internal brace elbow procedure. The timeline, while no longer aggressive enough to put him on track for Opening Day, still represents a relatively fast comeback—and one that could quietly reshape the Rangers’ pitching plans early in the season.
Bradford’s Rehab Is Moving, Even If the Calendar Slipped
Bradford told Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News that he is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session this week, a significant checkpoint in his rehab progression. If all goes well, Bradford hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment shortly after the regular season begins, putting him on pace to rejoin the major league club in May.
That timeline marks a shift from earlier optimism that Bradford might be ready by spring training, but it remains encouraging given the nature of his injury. The internal brace procedure, unlike full Tommy John surgery, does not carry the same 14- to 16-month recovery window. For the Rangers, that distinction matters.
Bradford’s injury story has been frustratingly familiar. After pitching well down the stretch in 2024, he entered spring training last year with a real chance to earn a rotation spot. Elbow soreness surfaced during his ramp-up. Initial imaging appeared clean. Eventually, however, doctors identified UCL damage that required surgical intervention, shelving him before the season even began.
Now, nearly a year later, Bradford appears to be back on schedule—just not as quickly as once hoped.
Why Bradford’s Return Matters More Than It Seems
Bradford’s importance goes beyond innings. When healthy, he represents a rare combination on the Rangers’ staff: command, efficiency, and deception.
A Baylor product and local native, Bradford debuted in 2023 in a swing role and struggled. His 2024 season, however, told a different story. After missing the first half with a back injury. He earned a rotation look and made 14 starts, posting a 3.54 ERA with a 23 percent strikeout rate and an elite 4.2 percent walk rate.
Those numbers stood out because Bradford does not overpower hitters. His fastball typically sits at 89–90 mph. Instead, he keeps hitters off balance by pairing his four-seamer with a well-located changeup around 81 mph. He trusts command over velocity. The strikeout bump surprised evaluators but showed improved sequencing at the major league level.
That profile becomes more relevant when viewed against the Rangers’ current rotation depth.
Texas will open the season with a formidable top three in Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jack Leiter. After that, uncertainty creeps in quickly. Jacob Latz pitched effectively in a swing role last season but has never held a permanent rotation spot. Kumar Rocker spent much of the final two months of last season working through mechanical issues at the complex. Beyond them, the 40-man roster lacks meaningful MLB starting experience.
That reality explains why the president of baseball operations, Chris Young, has emphasized pitching depth as a priority before Opening Day. Some type of addition feels inevitable, whether through a low-cost free agent or a spring training market opportunity.
Bradford’s return will not eliminate that need. But if he can rejoin the staff by May and resemble the pitcher he was in 2024, he could stabilize the rotation sooner than expected.
For the Rangers, that could mean the difference between scrambling for innings—and quietly weathering the early-season stretch until reinforcements arrive.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
