Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford has undergone internal brace surgery on his left elbow, the club confirmed Friday.
The procedure offers a more favorable recovery timeline than the feared Tommy John surgery, which had initially been on the table. While Tommy John typically sidelines pitchers for over a year, the internal brace method generally allows for a return within 6 to 9 months — potentially positioning Bradford for a comeback early in the 2026 season.
Bradford had been projected as part of the Rangers’ 2026 Opening Day rotation following a 2025 campaign marred by injury, including a rib fracture. After missing spring training due to elbow soreness, he had been ramping up for a rehab assignment this month before a setback led to the surgical decision.
