Fantasy News

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Returns from IL

  Rotowire May 8, 2024

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

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Season debut likely coming Friday

  Rotowire May 8, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He'll slide into the rotation spot vacated by Ryan Pepiot (leg), who is expected to be placed on the 15-day IL. Bradley has been out all season with a right pectoral strain but looked terrific in two rehab starts, most recently striking out eight over six frames of one-run ball with Triple-A Durham this past Friday. The right-hander posted a 5.59 ERA but had an impressive 129:39 K:BB across 104.2 innings for the Rays last season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Likely to be activated this week

  Rotowire May 6, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) has joined the Rays in Tampa Bay and is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut later this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Bradley has been out all season with a right pectoral strain, but he looked good in two rehab starts, most recently yielding just one earned run across six innings while striking out eight with Triple-A Durham this past Friday. The exact date for Bradley's season debut hasn't yet been revealed, but he'll presumably take the hill sometime this weekend against the Yankees.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Another strong rehab performance

  Rotowire May 5, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) allowed one earned run across six innings while striking out eight and walking two in a rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Friday, MLB.com reports. Bradley made his second rehab start with Durham and ramped up to 94 total pitches. He's looked good in each outing and will be up with the Rays shortly. It's possible Bradley's next start will come with Tampa Bay, but it looks like a near certainty he'll be activated for his season debut by mid-May.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Set for rehab assignment

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) is expected to report to Triple-A Durham later this week to begin a rehab assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Bradley threw 62 pitches across four innings in an extended spring training Monday. He emerged from the outing without issue and is now likely set for a couple of rehab appearances before being activated from the injured list. He's been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right pectoral strain suffered late in spring training.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Extended spring game on tap

  Rotowire Apr 22, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) is expected to pitch four innings in an extended spring training game early this week before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports. After covering three innings in a simulated game last Wednesday, Bradley appears to have recovered from the right pectoral strain that forced him to the injured list March 26, but he still needs time to rebuild his stamina and increase his pitch count following a month-long layoff to begin the season. A target date for his season debut with the Rays should come into focus once he heads out on a rehab assignment, but he tentatively looks on track to return from the 15-day IL at some point in the first or second week of May.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Headed to extended spring training

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Bradley (pectoral) will throw three innings Wednesday at the Rays' extended spring training facility, MLB.com reports. Bradley threw a two-inning live batting practice session Friday and will now take the next step in his recovery. He'll need to increase his pitch count and stamina before returning, though he could be activated from the 15-day injured list in the first half of May.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Cash optimistic injury not serious

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2024

  Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that he's optimistic Bradley's right pectoral injury was caught before it became serious, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Bradley was a late scratch from Tuesday's scheduled start after his pectoral tightened up before the game. He's been sent for an MRI, and even if it's not a serious setback as Cash suspects, it's possible the injury could threaten Bradley's availability for the start of the season. The young righty has made just one start this spring, and while he threw more than 50 pitches in that outing, he's not as stretched out as would be ideal.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Strong spring debut

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2024

  Bradley threw three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out one in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. Bradley is expected to be in the Rays' Opening Day rotation, as Shane Baz (elbow/oblique) is expected to be brought along slowly. Bradley 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.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Won't be on WC roster

  Rotowire Oct 3, 2023

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

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Comes out of bullpen against Jays

  Rotowire Sep 30, 2023

  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 inning of relief. He struck out one without walking a batter. 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.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Falls to Blue Jays

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2023

  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. Toronto did most of its 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 has 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 ERA 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.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Sharp in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2023

  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. 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.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Recalled ahead of start

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  The Rays recalled Bradley from Triple-A Durham ahead of his start Sunday against the Guardians. Bradley will be making his first appearance in the majors since July 29, when 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 to Durham, but fantasy managers should be cautious with Bradley until he can re-establish himself as a regular part of the Tampa Bay rotation.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Roughed up by Astros

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2023

  Bradley (5-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in a 17-4 loss to the Astros. He struck out four. Bradley gave up a two-run home run to Yainer Diaz in the second inning, marking his seventh consecutive appearance allowing a long ball. Despite surrendering five runs, Bradley allowed just three hits, tying his season low in the category while doling out four walks. Though Bradley has thrown six innings just once this season (16 starts), he'll likely be worth a look as a streaming option during his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Lasts five frames versus Orioles

  Rotowire Jul 24, 2023

  Bradley allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six across five innings Sunday against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision. Bradley gave up a run in the first and then a two-run blast to Gunnar Henderson in the second to put the Rays in a quick 3-0 hole. He went on to allow just one more baserunner after that frame but failed to make it past five innings, which is something he's done just once in 15 starts. The 22-year-old did register an impressive 34 percent whiff rate but also surrendered a home run for a sixth consecutive outing. He sits at a 5.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 95:22 K:BB over 71.1 innings. He's expected to face the Astros in Houston this weekend.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Fans nine in loss

  Rotowire Jul 19, 2023

  Bradley (5-6) took the loss Tuesday at Texas after he struck out nine and gave up two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. Bradley entered Tuesday's contest having surrendered 16 runs across his past three starts, so his performance against the AL West-leading Rangers was an encouraging sight. The rookie right-hander gave up a solo homer to Marcus Semien in the third inning and continues to be hurt by the long ball with 12 home runs allowed through 14 starts. A matchup with the Orioles this weekend is likely next up for Bradley.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Records career-high 11 strikeouts

  Rotowire Jun 15, 2023

  Bradley did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Athletics. He struck out 11. Bradley was dealing Thursday, striking out the first six batters he faced and nine of the first 12 overall. However, the rookie began to struggle with his command in the fifth inning, issuing back-to-back walks before eventually allowing three runs to come home as Oakland took a 3-1 lead. He was replaced by Kevin Kelly with one out in the inning, but not before notching a career-high 11 strikeouts. On the downside, Bradley has now failed to make it through five innings in two of his last three starts, issuing 10 walks over that stretch.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Impresses but takes loss

  Rotowire May 29, 2023

  Bradley (3-2) was tagged with the loss against the Cubs on Monday, allowing an unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over 5.2 innings. A fourth-inning Tampa Bay error helped Chicago notch the game's only run, resulting in Bradley taking his second career loss despite another strong outing. The rookie righty tossed a season-high 5.2 frames to fall one out shy of his first quality start, and he punched out eight batters while walking only one. Bradley's pitch count is being kept in check -- the 90 pitches he threw Monday marked a campaign high -- but he's still been able to complete at least five innings in all but one of his six starts. Overall, he has looked every bit deserving of a big-league rotation spot, compiling a 3.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 42:5 K:BB over 30 innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Taj Bradley: Fans four against Mets

  Rotowire May 19, 2023

  Bradley did not factor in the decision against the Mets on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five frames. Bradley was called up from Triple-A to make the start, and he gave the Rays five innings of two-run ball. The rookie righty failed to take home a win for the first time in his four starts as a major-leaguer, but he tied a season-best mark by allowing just three hits. Bradley continues to impress and could stick around in the Rays' rotation for the long term with Drew Rasmussen hitting the 60-day injured list last Friday due to a flexor strain.

  ... See More ... See Less