Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford is continuing his rehab from an internal brace procedure performed last June, with the organization now targeting a return sometime in May rather than Opening Day.

While early optimism suggested Bradford could be ready by the start of Spring Training, the club appears to be taking a more cautious approach with the 27-year-old.

Bradford told local reporters that he is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session this week, an important step in his progression.

If all goes well, he hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment shortly after the regular season opens, putting him on track to rejoin the major league staff within the season’s first two months.

A Texas native and Baylor product, Bradford debuted in 2023 as a swingman and endured expected growing pains. His trajectory shifted in 2024, however, when he returned from a back injury midseason and earned an extended look in the rotation.

Over 14 starts, Bradford delivered a 3.54 ERA while pairing strong strike-throwing ability with an improved strikeout rate. His command has long been considered a strength, but the uptick in missed bats made him one of the more intriguing internal rotation options entering 2025.

Despite modest velocity, Bradford has shown an ability to disrupt timing. His fastball typically sits around 89–90 mph, but he effectively complements it with a well-located changeup that keeps hitters off balance.

That approach allowed him to outperform expectations and positioned him as a legitimate candidate to open last season in the starting five.

Those plans were derailed during spring ramp-up, when Bradford experienced elbow discomfort. Although initial tests did not reveal structural damage, further evaluation ultimately led to surgery.

Unlike a full Tommy John procedure, the internal brace comes with a shorter rehabilitation timeline, allowing Bradford to envision a return within a year.

Looking ahead, the Rangers’ rotation picture remains top-heavy. Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter form a formidable trio at the front, but questions linger behind them.

Jacob Latz has flashed promise in a hybrid role, while Kumar Rocker spent much of last season refining mechanics away from game action. Beyond that group, proven major league starting experience is scarce.

President of baseball operations Chris Young has acknowledged the need to reinforce pitching depth, and an external addition before or during Spring Training appears likely.

Whether Texas opts for a low-cost veteran or waits for the market to soften, Bradford’s absence early in the season adds urgency. Still, if he returns healthy in May, he could provide a meaningful boost to a rotation searching for stability beyond its top arms.

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