Sun Mar 30 | 16:46 | Taj Bradley Records Seven Strikeouts |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley looked solid on the mound during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The 24-year-old struck out seven batters while allowing two earned runs on seven hits across six innings of work. The biggest issue for Bradley has been his control and he seemed to hitting his spots on Sunday. The Rockies lineup isn't exactly stacked with talent, so we'll see how Bradley does during his next start against the Texas Rangers. Bradley isn't an elite fantasy option, but he's worth rostering in most 12-team standard formats right now. |
Source: mlb.com | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 21 | 09:48 | Taj Bradley Inconsistent In Thursdayâs Start |
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley was inconsistent in his spring training start on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. He went 5 innings and allowed nine hits, three earned runs, two walks, and only four strikeouts. It's not necessarily the start fantasy managers were looking for, as Opening Day is less than a week away. Bradley enters the 2025 season as the No. 4/5 starter for the Rays, and although he has shown a lot of upside in his first couple of seasons in the MLB, he has shown just enough clunkers, similar to his start on Thursday. Hopefully, he can showcase more consistency in 2025 to live up to his potential and help the Rays compete for an AL East title. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 27 | 07:55 | Taj Bradley Working On New Pitch |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley unveiled a new pitch during Tuesday's spring training contest against the Philadelphia Phillies. Bradley's new pitch is a modification of his cutter that moves like a slider. Bradley noted that this pitch will look to limit hard contact. Last season, the right-hander showed flashes of potential times but struggled to find consistency as he struggled to keep the ball in the park. He allowed a high 10.2 percent barrel rate with a 42.9 percent hard-hit, which placed him in the ninth and 15th percentile, respectively. The 23-year-old also allowed a high 1.4 HR/9, which was one of the worst marks among starting pitchers last season. However, he was able to generate strikeouts at a strong 26.6 percent rate and whiffs at a 27.4 percent rate. If this new pitch finds him success during camp, he could become an intriguing late-round target when looking for an upside starting pitcher. |
Source: Marc Topkin | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Sep 28 2024 | 09:56 | Taj Bradley Fans Seven Over Six Shutout Innings |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley tossed six innings of shutout ball in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven on the way to earning his eighth win of the season. It caps off an up-and-down season for the righty, as he had a nine-game stretch where he pitched to a 0.82 ERA in the middle of the season, but allowed four runs or more on eight other occasions. Still, his final 4.11 ERA and 1.22 WHIP were improvements over 2023, and his 3.69 SIERA might offer a ray of hope for next season's fantasy prospects as the 10.04 K/9 ability should remain intact. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Aug 13 2024 | 00:32 | Taj Bradley's Rough Streak Continues Monday |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley continued his recent struggles in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Astros. Bradley pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits (including two home runs) and two walks with six strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 23-year-old is now 6-7 on the season with a 3.49 ERA, a 10.57 K/9 rate, and a 3.12 BB/9 rate in 17 starts and 95 1/3 IP. While his season numbers are solid, he has struggled in his last three starts, allowing 15 earned runs in just 14 IP. Things won't get easier for him in his next start, which will be against a surging Diamondbacks lineup. Fantasy managers may consider sitting him if they can afford to. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Jul 25 2024 | 19:46 | Taj Bradley Earns Win, Quality Start, Whiffs Seven |
Tampa Bay Rays starter Taj Bradley continued his recent run of dominance Thursday, firing six shutout innings and earning his sixth win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Bradley struck out seven hitters en route to another strong performance. Bradley is now 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts in 81 innings. Bradley has been a bright spot in a mediocre year for the Rays, becoming their de facto ace in the process. Bradley gets the Miami Marlins in a home game next Tuesday. |
Source: Tampa Bay Rays on mlb.com | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Jul 20 2024 | 18:37 | Taj Bradley Shuts Down Yankees On Saturday |
Tampa Bay Rays starter Taj Bradley stifled the New York Yankees lineup on Saturday with seven innings of one-hit ball. Bradley struck out five and walked two, nabbing his fifth win of the season on the road. The 23-year-old right-hander has been impeccable in three July starts, going (2-0) with a 0.45 ERA, allowing only one earned run and striking out 18 in 20 innings. Bradley has been one of the top prospects in the Rays system for a long time, and it looks like he's putting it all together. He next lines up to take the mound in Toronto against the last-place Blue Jays and should be started in all fantasy formats. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jul 12 2024 | 21:57 | Taj Bradley Stellar Again On Friday, Racks Up Eight Strikeouts |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley continued his stellar first half of the season on Friday and struck out eight batters in seven innings of shutout ball during the Rays' 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He decreased his ERA to 2.90 and improved his record to 4-4. Bradley now has five straight starts at home where he has struck out seven or more batters, particularly notable against the normally strikeout stingy Guardians (19.6% K% in 2024, fourth lowest in MLB). Though Bradley's 4.26 xERA suggests he's been the beneficiary of luck, the 23-year-old has started to figure things out and become more seasoned in 2024. Fantasy managers are unlikely to find Bradley on their waiver wire, but DFS managers may want to continue targeting Bradley in home starts where he's especially solid with a 1.76 ERA. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Jun 30 2024 | 16:31 | Taj Bradley Earns Win Sunday |
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley pitched well on Sunday, earning the victory in a 5-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals. Bradley pitched into the sixth inning, surrendering no runs on only three hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters. Bradley earned his third win of the year and sports a 3.42 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 55 innings for the Rays this season. He has provided stability for an at times rocky rotation. Bradley gets the Texas Rangers in his next start this coming weekend. |
Source: Tampa Bay Rays on mlb.com | RotoBaller.com |
Tue May 21 2024 | 00:37 | Taj Bradley Fans 10 In Polarizing Loss Monday |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley had a confounding start in Monday's 5-0 loss to the Red Sox. He pitched seven innings and struck out 10, but he also allowed five runs on five hits, including two home runs. The 23-year-old has looked good overall in his first three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA, an 11.50 K/9 rate, and a 1.50 BB/9 rate in 18 IP. As a top fantasy prospect last season, Bradley flashed strikeout skills but also showed a propensity for giving up the long ball. Fantasy managers may not be fully ready to trust him now, but it will be easier to forgive him if he continues to strike batters out at a high rate. His next projected start will be against a hot-hitting Royals lineup. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Fri May 10 2024 | 23:17 | Taj Bradley Fans Seven Yankees In Season Debut |
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) fanned seven New York Yankees in his 2024 debut on Friday but took the loss in the team's 2-0 defeat at Tropicana Field. Reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, the 23-year-old allowed one earned run on four hits over his six innings while also walking a pair of batters. Bradley tossed 93 pitches, with 59 crossing home plate for strikes. Bradley's fastball topped out at 99.2 mph. He is projected to remain in the Rays rotation and will make his next start this Wednesday when the Rays visit the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. |
Source: Official Tampa Bay Rays Website | RotoBaller.com |
Wed May 8 2024 | 17:12 | Taj Bradley Comes Off Injured List |
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, and he'll take the rotation spot of fellow right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Bradley is expected to make his season debut for the Rays on Friday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees after looking strong during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old initially suffered his pectoral injury while pitching in spring training. Bradley, one of the team's former top prospects, was inconsistent in his major-league debut in 2023 with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but he also walked just 39 and struck out 129 in 104 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (21 starts). He needs to be rostered in most mixed fantasy leagues now that he's about to make his 2024 debut. |
Source: Rays Communications | RotoBaller.com |
Wed May 8 2024 | 13:52 | Taj Bradley Likely To Make Season Debut On Friday |
With Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) likely to land on the injured list, right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is looking likely to come off the injured list in a corresponding move to make his 2024 debut on Friday against the New York Yankees. Bradley is finally ready to return to Tampa's starting rotation after missing the start of the season due to a right pectoral strain. The 23-year-old struck out eight batters in six innings while giving up one run in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Durham last Friday and appears ready to roll. Friday's matchup against the Yankees isn't the most friendliest, but Bradley should be picked up off the waiver wire in at least deep-mixed leagues if you're in need of starting pitching help. Bradley struck out 129 hitters in just 104 2/3 innings in 2023 for the Rays. |
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin | RotoBaller.com |
Mon May 6 2024 | 16:21 | Taj Bradley Likely To Come Off The Injured List This Week |
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is with the team on Monday before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox and seems likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list this week. Bradley has been out all season with a right-pectoral strain, but he's tracking toward making his season debut for the Rays later this week. The 23-year-old allowed one earned run in six innings while striking out eight for Triple-A Durham last Friday and is certainly worth a waiver-wire pickup now that he's on the cusp of his return, at least in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. His first start is likely to come this weekend against the New York Yankees, which won't be the best matchup to stream him, but his upside alone makes him worth stashing. |
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin | RotoBaller.com |
Sat May 4 2024 | 00:39 | Taj Bradley Throws 94 Pitches In Second Rehab Start |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) made his second and perhaps final minor-league rehab appearance on Friday with Triple-A Durham, throwing six scoreless innings of two-hit ball on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. After throwing 94 pitches in this outing, Bradley's next appearance could very well come with the big-league club as he enters the final stages of his recovery from a strained right pectoral. While the 23-year-old former top prospect mostly floundered during his first taste of major-league action with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 23 starts during his rookie year last season, he struck out 129 batters and walked only 39 across 104 2/3 frames. If Bradley's next start comes with the Rays, he would likely be making his 2024 regular-season debut at home next Friday versus the division-rival New York Yankees, where a wait-and-see approach would be recommended from a fantasy perspective. |
Source: Eric Cross | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Apr 29 2024 | 10:12 | Taj Bradley Dominates Rehab Start |
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Taj Bradley (pectoral) did not miss a beat in his first rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Durham. Bradley tossed five no-hit innings and allowed one walk with seven strikeouts. The 23-year-old had been sidelined since early March with a pectoral injury, but appears to be healthy now and Sunday's performance is an indication of what the right-hander can offer at the peak of his game. Bradley made his big-league debut in 2023 and had some strong performances, but also some rough performances. Overall, Bradley was 5=8 with a 5.59 ERA in 23 games (21 starts). The right-hander has the potential to be near the top of a rotation for year to come and is worth rostering in most formats with his return to the Rays around the corner. |
Source: Milb.com | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Apr 27 2024 | 13:34 | Taj Bradley Beginning Rehab Assignment On Sunday |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) is expected to join Triple-A Durham for a rehab assignment beginning on Sunday, April 28. Bradley felt tightness in his pectoral muscle before a scheduled start on March 12 and has remained on the sideline since. This a great sign for the 23-year-old as he is nearing the final step of his recovery process. Bradley made his major league debut last season and showcased high strikeout potential as he tallied 129 punchouts in 104 innings. However, he did post a hefty 5.59 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Bradley should be expected to join the Rays rotation when cleared and could be worth rostering in deeper formats. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Apr 22 2024 | 18:58 | Taj Bradley Nearing Rehab Assignment |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) appears to be making solid progress in his recovery process. The right-hander is reportedly scheduled to head to Triple-A soon to begin a rehab assignment. Bradley has been sidelined since late March due to a pectoral strain. The organization's original timetable was that Bradley would miss at least six weeks of action. It seems like Bradley should be able to beat that timetable, but fantasy managers should stay tuned for more information. |
Source: Evan Closky | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Apr 18 2024 | 21:25 | Taj Bradley Inching Toward Rehab Assignment |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) threw a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Bradley will pitch four innings in an extended spring training game before potentially starting a minor-league rehab assignment, as he still has to go through the process of rebuilding his stamina and upping his pitch count before he's ready to return to the Rays. The 23-year-old former top prospect is making good progress on the mend from a strained right pectoral, and if all continues to go well in his recovery, he appears to be on track to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-ravaged rotation in early-to-mid May. Swingman Zack Littell has fared well as a starter to begin the 2024 season, registering a 2.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while striking out 22 batters and walking just five over his first 21 innings (four starts). Ahead of Monday's scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers, Littell is worth rostering as a streamer for fantasy managers. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Apr 13 2024 | 01:03 | Taj Bradley, Shane Baz Throw Live Batting Practice |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitchers Taj Bradley (pectoral) and Shane Baz (elbow) recently threw a two-inning live batting practice session, manager Kevin Cash said on Friday. Sidelined for the past month due to a strained right pectoral, Bradley still has to go through the process of rebuilding his stamina and increasing his pitch count before he's ready to return. The 23-year-old right-hander fanned 129 batters across his 104 2/3 innings of work during his rookie year in 2023, but he gave 23 home runs in 21 starts and posted a poor 5.59 ERA. Bradley is probably about a month out from returning to the Rays, while Baz could return at some point in May after two oblique setbacks slowed his progress from Tommy John surgery recovery. Zack Littell and Tyler Alexander will occupy rotation spots in the meantime, with the former having only given up two runs through his first 15 1/3 frames of the campaign. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |