Taj Bradley Sidelined With Pectoral Inflammation, and Minnesota's Rotation Just Got Worse

The Twins' rotation just took another hit. Right-hander Taj Bradley was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right pectoral inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday. An MRI in Minneapolis came back clean, which is the best-case scenario, but Bradley is scheduled to consult with Dr. Keith Meister before the team decides on next steps.

This is a massive blow for a Minnesota staff already dealing with major damage. Bradley had been the anchor of the rotation, posting a 4-1 record and a 2.87 ERA across eight starts in his first full year with the Twins. He leads the team with 52 strikeouts and has thrown 47 innings. That's the kind of consistency you need when things fall apart around you, and things are definitely falling apart.

The Rotation Is Collapsing

Minnesota now has three-fifths of its starting rotation on the injured list. Pablo López is out for the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Rookie Mick Abel is battling right elbow inflammation. With Bradley joining them, the Twins are running on fumes up there.

Manager Derek Shelton addressed the situation before Saturday's 2-1, 11-inning victory over Cleveland. "Any time we get an MRI that comes back clean, that's the best-case scenario," he said. "Once we get through the second opinion, we can start a course of action."

What's Next For Minnesota

The Twins acquired Bradley from Tampa Bay in July of last season, trading Griffin Jax to get him. He'd been a top prospect with the Rays before that deal, and he was supposed to anchor this staff. Right-hander Travis Adams was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the void, but Minnesota will go with a bullpen game for Sunday's series finale in Cleveland instead of having Adams make the start.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.