Tampa Bay Rays' Key Starter Dealing with Injury, Opening Day Availability in Doubt

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rays' pitcher Taj Bradley is dealing with a pectoral strain and may not be ready in time for Opening Day.

After undergoing an MRI on Tuesday, Tampa Bay Rays' pitcher Taj Bradley has been diagnosed with a pectoral strain and may not be ready in time for Opening Day.

The following comes from Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:

#Rays Bradley said MRI showed a pec strain, and his return to throwing will be determined on a day to day basis. Said he was relieved it wasn’t an arm or shoulder issue.

#Rays Bradley said MRI showed a pec strain, and his return to throwing will be determined on a day to day basis. Said he was relieved it wasn’t an arm or shoulder issue.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 13, 2024

It certainly is good that Bradley isn't dealing with anything worse and the Rays can't afford him to be. Heading into the season, the team will be without ace Shane McLanahan because of Tommy John surgery, as well as Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen for large portions of the year because of serious injuries. They also traded Tyler Glasnow this offseason to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bradley is penciled in as the No. 4 starter for Kevin Cash's team and will need to take a big jump if the Rays are to repeat their 99-win season from a year ago.

Bradley is just 22-years-old and made his major league debut last season, going 5-8 with a 5.69 ERA. A former top prospect, he made 21 starts and struck out 129 batters in 104.2 innings.

In addition to Bradley, the Rays rotation would figure to have Aaron Civale, Zach Eflin, Zack Littell and Ryan Pepiot.

After winning 99 games last season, the Rays were beaten in the American League wild card round by the Texas Rangers, who eventually won the World Series.

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