The Texas Rangers are getting a familiar arm back into their pitching rotation as left-hander Cody Bradford makes his return to the major leagues following an extended recovery from elbow surgery.
Texas officially activated Bradford on Wednesday, marking his first return to the active roster since undergoing an internal brace procedure on his left elbow more than a year ago. The Rangers also made a corresponding roster move by placing left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore on the paternity list.
Bradford’s return represents an important development for a Texas club looking for additional stability and depth on the mound. The 28-year-old southpaw is scheduled to take the ball Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, giving the Rangers an opportunity to see how he performs after a lengthy absence from major league competition.
The upcoming start will be Bradford’s first MLB appearance since September 25, 2024. His road back has been a long one, but the Rangers are hopeful that the time away has allowed him to fully recover and rebuild his strength.
Bradford first reached the major leagues during the 2023 season and has since accumulated 34 appearances, including 21 starts. Across those outings, he has produced a 10-6 record with a 4.28 earned-run average.
Although those numbers do not necessarily place him among the league’s most dominant starting pitchers, Bradford has shown enough ability to remain an intriguing option for Texas. His versatility and experience as both a starter and reliever can give the Rangers another useful piece as they navigate the demands of a long MLB season.
His return is especially significant because the organization has had to manage its pitching staff carefully. Injuries and workload concerns can quickly create problems for a team trying to remain competitive, making the return of a pitcher with previous major league experience potentially valuable.
Bradford’s recovery has required patience. Rather than immediately rushing him back to the mound, the Rangers allowed him time to complete his rehabilitation following the internal brace surgery. Now, more than a year after the procedure, he is finally ready to test himself again at the highest level.
The Giants will provide Bradford with his first major league challenge since his surgery. Facing an MLB lineup after such a lengthy layoff is never an easy assignment, and the Rangers will likely be monitoring more than just the final statistics. His command, velocity, pitch movement, stamina and overall comfort on the mound will all be important indicators of where he stands physically.
For Bradford, simply getting back into a major league game is an accomplishment after the difficult rehabilitation process. The upcoming outing could also serve as the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
While the Rangers welcome Bradford back, they will temporarily be without another left-handed starter in Gore. Texas placed Gore on the paternity list, opening a roster spot for Bradford.
Gore, 27, has been an important part of the Rangers’ pitching staff during his first season with the club. He has made 24 starts this year and owns a 6-9 record alongside a 4.55 ERA.
Despite those numbers, Gore brings substantial major league experience to the Texas rotation. Wednesday’s roster move is therefore not a reflection of his performance, but rather a temporary absence for the birth of his child.
Gore has now spent five seasons in the majors, pitching for three organizations. His career began with the San Diego Padres in 2022 before he moved to the Washington Nationals, where he pitched from 2023 through 2025. He subsequently joined Texas.
Across 129 major league appearances, including 126 starts, Gore has compiled a 32-50 record and a 4.26 ERA. He also reached an important career milestone last season when he was selected as an All-Star while representing Washington.
That background gives Texas another experienced option once he returns to the club.
The Rangers’ decision to activate Bradford at this particular point could prove useful as the season enters an important stretch. A healthy Bradford could provide the team with additional depth and potentially reduce pressure on other members of the pitching staff.
There will naturally be questions about how quickly Bradford can return to his previous form. Pitchers coming back from significant elbow procedures often need time to regain their rhythm, command and endurance. Even if he performs well in his first start, Texas may choose to manage his workload carefully.
The Rangers are unlikely to expect Bradford to immediately dominate opposing hitters. Instead, his first few appearances could be viewed as part of a broader process of determining what he can realistically provide for the remainder of the season.
His previous major league record offers the Rangers some reason for optimism. Bradford has demonstrated that he can handle MLB competition, and his 10-6 record through his first 34 appearances suggests that he has already established himself as a capable contributor.
The biggest question now is whether he can remain healthy and build consistency after his elbow rehabilitation.
For Texas, getting Bradford back could be particularly important because starting pitching depth can become one of the most valuable assets during the latter stages of a season. Having another left-hander available gives the club greater flexibility when managing its rotation and bullpen.
Bradford’s return also creates an interesting dynamic because Gore is expected to rejoin the team after his time on the paternity list. Once both pitchers are available, Texas will have more options when determining how to structure its pitching staff.
The Rangers will therefore be watching Bradford’s first start closely. The result of the game against San Francisco will matter, but his overall physical response could be even more significant.
If Bradford comes through the outing without complications and shows encouraging stuff, Texas could have a valuable addition to its pitching group. A successful return would give the Rangers another experienced arm at a point in the season when every reliable pitcher can make a difference.
For Bradford, however, the focus is much simpler: get back on the mound, compete and prove that his elbow is ready for the demands of major league baseball again.
After last pitching in the majors on September 25, 2024, his return against the Giants marks a significant milestone. More than a year after undergoing internal brace surgery, the 28-year-old lefty finally has another opportunity to establish himself in the Rangers’ rotation.
Texas will hope the long rehabilitation process has positioned Bradford for a productive comeback. If he can stay healthy and regain the effectiveness he showed before his injury, his return could become a meaningful boost for the Rangers as they continue their season.
The organization now has a chance to evaluate Bradford in real game action while temporarily allowing Gore to step away for an important family moment. With both pitchers possessing major league experience, the Rangers could eventually have greater depth and flexibility than they did before Bradford’s activation.
For now, though, all eyes will be on Bradford as he makes his long-awaited return against San Francisco.
