Cody Bradford DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Thursday, according to the Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. Bradford has been throwing just fastballs and changeups on flat ground as he ramps back up and said that he's been feeling good. The 27-year-old southpaw has yet to make his 2025 debut due to a sprained UCL in his left elbow that he suffered in spring training. He's making progress but still has a ways to go and will eventually need to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, which means fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back in Texas' starting rotation until sometime in June in a best-case scenario. Bradford was solid in 14 outings (13 starts) in 2024 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, but he missed 16 weeks with a stress fracture in his rib cage. When he gets closer to a return, he'll be a strong waiver-wire consideration in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said on Saturday that left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow), who will begin the regular season on the injured list due to a sore left elbow, will not throw for at least four weeks. There was hope that Bradford might have a minimal stay on the IL to open the 2025 season, but this news throws that out the window. Fantasy managers that have already drafted the 27-year-old southpaw in deeper leagues may want to expect him to miss at least the first month of the season now that he'll have to start his throwing program from scratch when he resumes tossing. Texas received more bad news regarding their rotation when right-hander Jon Gray fractured his wrist on a line drive on Friday night. The injuries to Bradford and Gray probably mean that both right-handed pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker will begin the year in Texas' starting rotation.

Although an MRI exam on Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford's (elbow) sore left elbow came back clean, he is going to need to start the season on the injured list, according to manager Bruce Bochy. He will be shut down from throwing for up to 10 days to try and get the soreness out. General manager Chris Young said Bradford felt pain in his elbow during his Cactus League start last Thursday. The 27-year-old southpaw had a 1.40 ERA last year when he first landed on the IL on April 14 with nagging back and rib injuries and finished the year with a 3.54 ERA in 76 1/3 innings. It's unclear how much time Bradford might miss to open the 2025 regular season, but his injury now opens up a spot in Texas' Opening Day starting rotation for one of Jack Leiter or Kumar Rocker. Either pitcher would have some appeal for strikeout upside in mixed fantasy leagues if they win a rotation spot.