Another pitcher with a strong 2026 season is heading to the injured list.
Twins right-hander Taj Bradley has been placed on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his right pectoral muscle, the team announced.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) prepares to throw a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Righty Travis Adams has been summoned from Triple-A to take his roster spot.
Bradley, who came over from the Rays in a trade at last year’s deadline, has finally started to blossom into the the once-top prospect he was with Tampa Bay.
Through eight starts this season, Bradley has a 2.87 ERA and 1.191 WHIP with 52 strikeouts across 47 innings. His 10 strikeouts per nine innings is his best mark in two seasons and his hits per nine rate (7.5) is the best of his career.
He’s increased the usage of his four seam fastball significantly this year — from 38.6 percent in 2025 to 46.5 percent in 2026 — to his advantage; opposing hitters have a .247 average against it.
He’s also made the splitter his second-most used pitch, giving hitters fits (.206 average against).
“There is no doubt in anyone’s eyes in this room that [Bradley] was an ace-caliber pitcher,” catcher Ryan Jeffers told The Athletic in early April. “We couldn’t have been more excited to get him over here. It’s not often you get a chance to have a starter that throws 100 [mph] in your rotation. … And we [heard] about this splitter that’s developing. ‘Hey, he’s working on his splitter. That’s going to be the key.’ He comes into spring, and that splitter is a legit weapon.”
Taj Bradley and Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins interact against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning at Target Field on April 7, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images Minnesota is already without rotation stalwart Pablo Lopez (season-ending elbow surgery, out for the season) and Mick Abel (right elbow inflammation, 15-day IL).
Ace Joe Ryan gave the team a scare in his start last week after just nine pitches with elbow inflammation. However, he is slated to pitch Saturday against the rival Guardians.
The American League outside of Minnesota hasn’t been immune to pitcher injuries, as two-time reigning Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal underwent surgery this week to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow.
Astros ace Hunter Brown has also been on the IL with a grade 2 shoulder strain.
And the Rays, Bradley’s former team, will not have Ryan Pepiot this season due to hip surgery he’s set to undergo next week.
