Rangers injury update: 2 young arms making quiet moves toward potential return

The Texas Rangers aren't in a ton of need for good starting pitching but could use all the help they can get and Cody Bradford and Kumar Rocker are closing in on being those reinforcements.

Prior to Monday's game against Colorado, Dallas Morning News reporter Shawn McFarland reported that both Bradford and Rocker are making significant strides toward a return to the big league roster.

Kumar Rocker

Rocker, who went down on April 24 with right shoulder impingement, threw a 26 pitch bullpen session on Monday with a plan to possible throw a live bullpen soon if his recovery goes well. Manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker looked "free and easy" during his bullpen.

The 25-year-old made his MLB Debut last September but had a tough go of it to start the 2025 season, compiling a 8.10 ERA in 20 innings of work. Outside of a handful of starts, Rocker has struggled with avoiding bats as opponents have hit .341 against him in his 8 starts.

I imagine if Rocker feels good, then does get a chance to throw in live BP, his return is creeping around the corner. Although there is still no timetable for his return or even if it will be with the major league club or a trip to the minors.

Cody Bradford

Still waiting to make hit 2025 season debut, Bradford unfortunately got hurt during the team's spring training in Arizona. The lefty hasn't pitched in over two months and only got three starts into spring before being scratched from his fourth start in camp on March 12. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 8.

According to McFarland, Bradford is set to throw a bullpen with a left elbow sprain. The 27-year-old has been throwing, fastball and changeup only, and Thursday's bullpen will be a first for him since the injury.

Bradford was on his way to being one of the team's promising up and coming starters last season after beginning the year with 14 1/3 innings of work, limiting opposing teams to only 3 earned runs in his first 3 starts of the year.

His return, whenever that will be, will be a welcomed sight for the Rangers as he could potentially join one of Major League Baseball's best starting rotations.