The Texas Rangers have dealt with a wave of injuries to their starting rotation in recent weeks, but none hit harder than Tuesday’s confirmation regarding left-hander Cody Bradford.
President of Baseball Operations Chris Young announced that Bradford will undergo elbow surgery after suffering a setback in his rehab process.
Bradford initially sprained his left elbow during spring training in March and had been steadily working his way back, with hopes of returning around the All-Star break.
However, his latest setback has dashed those hopes, and he is now set to miss significantly more time.
The specific type of surgery has yet to be confirmed, but options include either Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure, with the operation scheduled for Wednesday in Arlington.
A 2019 sixth-round draft pick, Bradford debuted in May 2023 and has since logged 34 appearances (21 starts) with a 10–6 record, a 4.28 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over 132 1/3 innings.
He also made a valuable contribution during the Rangers’ 2023 playoff run, allowing just one run across 7 2/3 relief innings.
Despite his potential, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress, including back soreness earlier this season and a 2019 surgery for Thoracic outlet syndrome in college.
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The timing of Bradford’s surgery has raised questions among fans, with some wondering whether the procedure should have been done months ago.
While the Rangers may have been hoping to avoid surgery altogether, the decision to delay it has fueled speculation about whether it cost him and the team valuable time.
Initially, Texas hoped Bradford and fellow starter Jon Gray would return by late July to help energize the rotation.
But with the team sitting at 38–41, the focus may shift to improving the offense and evaluating whether the Rangers can stay competitive or risk becoming sellers ahead of the looming trade deadline.
