The Texas Rangers’ 2025 season has hit another setback as left-handed pitcher Cody Bradford is expected to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the season—and likely a portion of 2026 as well.
The team, currently sitting at 38–41, has struggled to stay healthy this year, a trend that carried over from their injury-plagued 2024 campaign.
Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports broke the news, noting that while it’s not yet clear whether Bradford will undergo Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure, either option rules him out for the foreseeable future.
Bradford, 27, had shown promise in 2024 with a 3.54 ERA across 14 appearances but had not pitched at all in 2025 due to a spring training elbow injury.
Originally a sixth-round pick, Bradford debuted in 2023 and was expected to be a steady contributor in the Rangers’ rotation this season.
His progress was already interrupted by back issues last year, and now, this latest setback further clouds his future. Losing him is a tough blow for a team still trying to get back on track and make a late-season playoff push.
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The Rangers were hoping that both Bradford and fellow starter Jon Gray could return midseason to help stabilize the rotation, but those plans are now off the table.
Instead, the team must shift its focus to remaining healthy and improving offensively if it hopes to climb back into postseason contention.
Despite the bad news, the Rangers are determined to keep pushing forward. As the trade deadline approaches, they face critical decisions that will shape the rest of their season—and potentially their long-term outlook. Updates on Bradford’s condition will be provided as more information becomes available.
