TAJ BRADLEY NEWS

Taj Bradley ties career high with 11 strikeouts as the Rays rally to beat the Cubs 3-2

Taj Bradley tied a career high with 11 strikeouts over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2

JUNE 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Walks three in no-decision Bradley allowed a hit and three walks while striking out six over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Sunday.

Impact Bradley was able to quiet a Royals offense that had scored at least five runs in each of the previous eight games. This was a good bounce-back effort for Bradley after he gave up five runs over seven innings to the Red Sox on Monday. The 23-year-old is now at a 3.13 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 23 innings across four starts this season. His next start is projected to be a tough road matchup in Baltimore.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

After perfect beginning, multi-run frames hurt Bradley in 10-K start ST. PETERSBURG -- For three innings, Taj Bradley was about as good as it gets. The Rays’ 23-year-old right-hander struck out eight of the fi...

MAY 21 • MLB.COM

Yields five runs Bradley (1-2) allowed five runs on six hits over seven innings Monday, striking out 10 and taking a loss against Boston.

Impact Bradley worked through three shutout frames before the Red Sox scored three runs in the fourth inning. Nearly all the damage against him came on a pair of two-run homers by Rafael Devers and Ceddanne Rafaela. Despite the poor final line, Bradley turned in his longest start of the year and matched his career best with seven innings. He owns a 4.00 ERA with an impressive 23:3 K:BB through 18 innings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Royals this weekend.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Rays 'could not be more impressed' with Taj in dazzling return ST. PETERSBURG -- Back in Spring Training, the Rays didn’t want to put any undue pressure on Taj Bradley. Thrust into action earlier and mor...

MAY 11 • MLB.COM

Yankees spoil Taj Bradley's season debut with shutout The 23-year-old right-hander was strong in his first start after beginning the season on the injured list, but the Rays’ bats went cold.

MAY 11 • ORLANDOSENTINEL.COM

Returns from IL The Rays reinstated Bradley (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Bradley is slated to make his season debut Friday against the Yankees at Tropicana Field, but the Rays opted to activate the right-hander two days early after rotation mate Ryan Pepiot (lower leg) was placed on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move. The 23-year-old showed no sign of being affected by the pectoral strain he suffered in spring training over the course of his two rehab starts with Triple-A Durham, as he struck out 15 while allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks across 11 innings. Bradley built up to 94 pitches in his second outing with Durham last Friday and shouldn't face any workload restrictions in his first start with Tampa Bay.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Rays RHP Taj Bradley shut down with pectoral strain Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley will not throw for at least two weeks because of a pectoral injury that forced him to be scratched f...

MARCH 13 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Doesn't make scheduled start Bradley did not make his scheduled start for the Rays in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Orioles, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact There's no word yet on whether Bradley is dealing with some sort of injury or if this is just a change in plans, but the Rays are expected to provide an update later Tuesday. Erasmo Ramirez started in his place against the O's.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Strong spring debut Bradley threw three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out one in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Impact Bradley is expected to be in the Rays' Opening Day rotation with Shane Baz (elbow/oblique) expected to be brought along slowly. He helped his cause with his spring debut, particularly because the Yankees had most of their projected starters in the lineup. In addition to posting three scoreless innings, Bradley touched 98 mph with his fastball and generated four swings and misses on 43 total pitches.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Rays' Taj Bradley is diving headfirst into second big-league season The right-hander was eager to pitch against a tough Yankees lineup Wednesday and came away confident he is headed in the right direction.

MARCH 6 • TAMPABAY.COM

Why Rays' pitcher Taj Bradley has a different perspective this spring Notebook | The right-hander has a much better sense of how things work after a solid but inconsistent rookie season.

FEBRUARY 16 • TAMPABAY.COM

Won't be on WC roster Bradley will not be part of the Rays' Wild Card Series roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Rays need only three starting pitchers for the series and plan to carry 15 position players, so Bradley isn't going to make the cut. They will have the ability to reset their roster prior to the ALDS, if they advance, and it's possible Bradley could be added on then.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes out of bullpen against Jays Bradley didn't factor into the decision Friday during the Rays' 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays, allowing one run on two hits in an innings of relief. He struck out one without walking...

Impact The rookie right-hander tossed 21 pitches (16 strikes) in his brief appearance, but this usage doesn't necessarily mean Bradley is shifting to the bullpen for the postseason. With Tampa Bay already locked into the top wild-card spot in the American League and likely to face Toronto to begin the playoffs next week, manager Kevin Cash elected not to give the opposition a good look at any of the starting pitchers the Rays might be using -- Aaron Civale got the start but left the mound after 40 pitches, while Zack Littell also tossed 35 pitches in relief. Bradley finishes the regular season with a shaky 5.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through his first 103.2 big-league innings, but the 22-year-old righty's 129:39 K:BB highlights his upside.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falls to Blue Jays Bradley (5-8) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings against Toronto. He struck out four.

Impact Toronto did most of their damage against Bradley in the second inning, scoring five runs, including three on George Springer's inside-the-park home run. The 22-year-old Bradley's now allowed four or more runs in three of his five starts since he was recalled from Triple-A earlier this month, pitching to a 5.14 in that span. The rookie right-hander will likely face Toronto again in his next outing as he looks to wrap up the regular season on a high note.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in no-decision Bradley did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over five innings against the Angels. He struck out six.

Impact The right-handed rookie retired 11 of the first 13 batters Tuesday before Logan O'Hoppe ripped a solo homer in the fourth inning, accounting for the Angels' lone tally against Bradley. In four starts since being recalled from Triple-A on Sept. 3, the 22-year-old has posted a 4.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 21 innings with six of his 10 earned runs during that stretch coming via solo home runs. Bradley tentatively lines up for a home matchup with divisional foe Toronto this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows two home runs Bradley did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven.

Impact Bradley cruised through the first two innings before surrendering back-to-back home runs to open the third, each coming on the first pitch of the at-bat. He got himself into trouble again in the fifth after walking two of the first three batters he faced, which eventually led to the right-hander being relieved by Jake Diekman with two outs in the frame. Bradley has now allowed four earned runs and multiple homers in back-to-back starts and is still looking for his first win since June 21. He's also yielded at least two walks in six of his last seven outings.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in no-decision Bradley did not factor into the decision in Friday's win over the Mariners. He struck out five and allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings.

Impact Bradley surrendered three home runs in Friday's start, the most he's allowed since giving up four on June 27 at Arizona. Since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 3, the Tampa Bay rookie has allowed five earned runs with 12:7 K:BB in 11.1 innings over two starts. Bradley's next outing is currently scheduled to be at Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Receives another start Bradley is scheduled to start Friday's home game against the Mariners.

Impact While making his return from Triple-A Durham this past Sunday for his big-league start since July 29, Bradley turned in uneven results in a no-decision at Cleveland. He struck out seven and allowed just one earned run on three hits over five innings, but he issued five free passes and threw two wild pitches. Despite his poor efficiency his last time out, Bradley will get at least one more turn through the rotation while the Rays are short on healthy starting options.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Walks five batters Bradley allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks over five innings in Sunday's win over Cleveland. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Bradley was promoted from Triple-A Durham for his first MLB appearance since July 29. He displayed his usual nasty strikeout material but the command was still shaky. He's walked nine batters in his last two MLB starts but he owns a 12 K/9 through 79.2 career innings. If Bradley sticks around for another turn in the rotation, he'll likely face the Mariners at home.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled ahead of start The Rays recalled Bradley from Triple-A Durham ahead of his start Sunday against the Guardians.

Impact Bradley will be making his first appearance in the majors since July 29, where he surrendered five runs in just 3.1 frames against Houston. He's pitched to a 2.91 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the minors since being optioned July 31, but fantasy managers should be cautious with Bradley until he can establish himself in the majors.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Coming up to start Sunday Bradley will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to start for the Rays on Sunday versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It will be his first start in the majors since late July. Bradley has been a mixed bag so far at the big-league level, posting a 5.67 ERA and 1.41 WHIP but also a nice 99:26 K:BB over 74.2 frames. He collected a 2.91 ERA and 24:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings covering five starts with Durham in August.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kodai Senga, Eury Pérez highlight Pitching Ninja's filthiest rookies

This season has been a banner one for rookie pitchers across MLB. Check out the best pitches from this group of young hurlers.

AUGUST 30, 2023

Rays send rookie starter Taj Bradley back to Triple A Notes | Concerned about the impact of a rough stretch on the 22-year-old, the Rays want Bradley to “take a breath ... gather himself.”

AUGUST 1, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Optioned to Triple-A Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact The Rays traded for Aaron Civale on Monday, which gives them four starters to use in the short term, not including Bradley. Manager Kevin Cash said Bradley handled the news well and that they hope he'll be back up at some point. Bradley logged a 7.89 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings across five July starts.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE