The Texas Rangers continue moving closer to receiving much-needed help for their starting rotation as both Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bradford made encouraging progress in their respective rehabilitation programs last week.

Montgomery made his third rehab start, this time with Triple-A Round Rock, and delivered another positive outing. The left-hander allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three and issuing no walks in two innings.

He threw 39 pitches, including 26 strikes, as he continued building toward his return to the MLB rotation.

The veteran signed a one-year contract with the Rangers during Spring Training while still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

From the beginning, Texas viewed Montgomery as a pitcher capable of strengthening the rotation during the second half of the season once he completed his rehabilitation.

His return has become even more important given the Rangers’ current situation.

Texas is searching for reliable innings after Jack Leiter landed on the Injured List following right ankle surgery.

The team attempted to address the vacancy by giving Chris Paddack a start last week, but he was designated for assignment shortly afterward, leaving another opening in the rotation.

If Montgomery remains on schedule, a return shortly after the All-Star break could provide a significant boost for a Rangers club looking to stabilize its starting staff during the second half.

The encouraging news did not stop with Montgomery.

Fellow left-hander Cody Bradford also took another important step in his recovery by throwing a live batting practice session before Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field.

Bradford reported that he successfully threw all four of his pitches, including his fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, for strikes while completing one simulated inning consisting of 20 pitches.

Following the session, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker expressed optimism about the progress both pitchers have made.

Schumaker explained that Bradford is expected to complete one more live batting practice before beginning a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

He added that Bradford felt strong throughout the session and looked like himself again, noting that his fastball had returned to form and that his breaking pitches displayed the movement the coaching staff expected to see.

“It’s all a really good sign,” Schumaker told MLB.com.

“Cody has one more live, and then he’ll probably head out to a rehab assignment. He felt really good today and has been feeling good, which is encouraging. He looked like Cody Bradford today, which was awesome. The fastball was there, spinning a ball how it’s supposed to. He’s in a really good spot.”

Schumaker also praised Montgomery’s progress, explaining that the veteran has recovered well after each rehabilitation outing without experiencing any setbacks.

The manager pointed out that Bradford had previously dealt with a setback earlier in his recovery but has remained healthy since then, while Montgomery has likewise continued moving forward without complications.

“As far as Jordan. He’s recovered well [on rehab], feels good about it. Those are always good signs that there’s no setbacks, because Cody had that setback months ago, and he hasn’t had any since.

"So that’s encouraging, and the same with Monty. I like those text messages and Slack channel updates more than the previous ones I’ve had [with injuries] lately.”

With both Montgomery and Bradford trending toward returns, Texas could soon receive two experienced arms capable of providing valuable depth and stability during a crucial stretch of the season.

If both pitchers continue progressing as expected, the Rangers’ rotation could look significantly stronger in the weeks following the All-Star break.

Beyond their physical abilities, both Montgomery and Bradford have demonstrated the perseverance required to navigate lengthy rehabilitation processes.

Returning from significant injuries demands patience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to daily improvement, and both pitchers have embraced those challenges throughout their recoveries.

Montgomery brings the experience of pitching in meaningful games and has long been recognized for his steady presence on the mound, while Bradford has earned respect for his preparation, competitiveness, and calm approach.

Their work ethic and resilience provide valuable examples within the clubhouse, and those qualities should continue benefiting the Rangers.

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