The Texas Rangers’ 2025 season has been far from ideal, and their hopes of making a playoff push just took a significant hit. Sitting at a disappointing 38–41, the club is trying to reverse its fortunes, but on Tuesday, they were dealt another major blow.
Left-handed pitcher Cody Bradford is set to undergo elbow surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the season, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports.
Wilson shared the update via social media, noting that while it’s unclear whether Bradford will need the internal brace procedure or full Tommy John surgery, the outcome remains the same: Bradford won’t take the mound again this season and is also expected to miss much of the 2026 campaign.
Either outcome will require an extended rehab process, adding another long-term challenge to Texas’ rotation plans.
The Rangers’ injury problems have carried over from 2024, and the latest setback further depletes a pitching staff that has struggled to stay healthy.
Bradford’s absence is particularly disappointing given the potential he showed in the past. The 27-year-old southpaw first debuted in 2023 and began to emerge as a steady arm in 2024, posting a solid 3.54 ERA over 14 outings, 13 of which were starts.
That performance hinted at a promising future, but injuries continued to interfere. Bradford opened 2025 spring training already dealing with an elbow sprain, landing him on the injured list before the regular season began.
As a result, he has yet to appear in a game this year for the Rangers — and now, it’s confirmed that he won’t.
Even without confirmation of which surgical procedure he’ll undergo, the outlook for Bradford is bleak. Recovery timelines vary, but Wilson noted that missing a large portion of 2026 is also expected.
It’s a tough loss not only for Bradford, who was eager to build off his momentum from last year, but also for a Rangers team that’s been searching for consistency in its rotation.
Despite the grim injury update, Texas will attempt to keep its playoff hopes alive. The team has enjoyed flashes of brilliance this season but will need to overcome mounting adversity to remain competitive.
As for Tuesday night, the Rangers are set to begin a road series against the Baltimore Orioles, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM EST. Further updates on Bradford’s recovery will follow in the coming weeks.
