Advertisement

sportsRangers

Texas Rangers place Cody Bradford on IL with back issue; Cole Winn recalled

Could Jack Leiter be an eventual option for the big-league roster?

HOUSTON — Well, at least it’s not an elbow.

On Sunday, the Texas Rangers announced the first in-season injury to their thin starting rotation. Cody Bradford will head to the IL with what was described as a low-grade lower back strain. The move is retroactive to April 11, the day after he made his last start against Oakland. He was replaced on the active roster by 2018 first-round pick Cole Winn, who would be making his major league debut if he pitches.

Winn, who has transitioned into relieving, may only have a short window to make that debut. Manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Michael Lorenzen would be activated from the IL on Monday to take Bradford’s spot in the rotation. The Rangers don’t believe the injury will be a long-term issue. Bradford would be eligible to return as early as April 26 when the Rangers host Cincinnati.

Bradford, 26, has been one of the Rangers’ most effective pitchers early in the season. He currently leads the AL with both a 0.621 WHIP and 0.931 walks per nine innings. He is 3-0 with a team-best 1.40 ERA, which ranks eighth in the AL.

Rangers

Be the smartest Rangers fan. Get the latest news.

Or with:

“We did have it looked at; it’s nothing serious but he was not able to throw a bullpen,” Bochy said. “So we decided to just give him the full 15 days make sure we get that cleared up.”

No time is good for a pitching injury, but the Rangers are currently in a streak of consecutive games without a day off. Bochy had hoped that when he dropped Lorenzen into the rotation, it would build in a sixth starter for a turn or two to give the starters more rest. Bochy said he was still hopeful of using a sixth starter for a turn or two. Jose Ureña, who has pitched well out of the bullpen, would be one option.

Advertisement

Even more intriguing: Right-hander Jack Leiter, the club’s first round pick in 2021, is off to a strong start at Triple-A Round Rock and is coming off a 10-strikeout performance on Friday. The Rangers would probably have need for the sixth starter on Wednesday or Thursday at Detroit.

If Leiter were to join for a start, he’d be on four days of rest, typical for a big leaguer. Owen White, who is already on the 40-man roster, could be a candidate too. And he’d be on five days rest, which is more typical for a minor leaguer. White, however, has allowed seven walks and 10 runs in 12.1 innings at Round Rock.

Related Stories
View More
Advertisement

Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.