Taj Bradley's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is dealing with pectoral tightness in camp and has been sent for an MRI exam. Bradley was scratched from the team's Grapefruit League game on Tuesday because he was feeling right-pectoral tightness. We should know more on the 22-year-old's injury by Wednesday. Even if it's not a serious injury, Bradley's availability for the start of the 2024 regular season could be compromised with Opening Day in just several weeks. In his lone spring appearance to this point, Bradley has thrown three scoreless innings. RotoBaller has Bradley ranked as the No. 65 starting pitcher 5-8 in his rookie season last year with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 39 walks and 129 K's in 104 2/3 frames. The young pitcher will need to show better command and learn to limit the long ball, but his whiff potential makes him worth a deep-league stash to open the year.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley did not make his scheduled start on Tuesday due to undisclosed reasons. Fellow righty Erasmo Ramirez made the start in his stead. Following the departure of Tyler Glasnow via trade and the injuries to Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen, Bradley was in line to crack the Rays' Opening Day rotation but his unknown issue could put that notion in jeopardy. The 22-year-old made 21 starts for the Rays in the 2023 season, working to a 5.59 ERA across 104 1/2 innings of work, He also struggled to a 6.45 ERA across 10 starts at the Triple-A level a season ago. Bradley's strikeout stuff is an attractive option for fantasy managers who will want to keep an eye on his status moving forward.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team expects "a much more comfortable version of Taj Bradley" this year. Both Bradley and Ryan Pepiot should have an opportunity to settle into the starting rotation behind Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell. Bradley made his major-league debut in 2023 and finished with 21 starts, ending up with a 5.59 ERA and 23 home runs allowed in 104 2/3 innings pitched. He'll only be 23 years old this year, though, and his electric fastball averaged 96.1 mph, while his developing changeup produced a 41 percent whiff rate and his curveball was also effective. Expectations were high for Bradley as one of the team's top prospects, so he was more of a disappointment. However, if he can display better command and keep the ball in the yard more in 2024, Bradley could be much more productive.