Bradford (back) was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his rib Friday and is expected to be sidelined for about a month, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander wasn't progressing as expected in his recovery after landing on the shelf April 14 with lower-back soreness, and a rib stress fracture is the apparent culprit. Bradford will now be sidelined through at least late May, and a more specific timeline should come into focus as he ramps up his rehab work.

Texas placed Bradford on the 15-day injured list Sunday with lower back soreness, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.comreports.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford earned a longer look in Texas' starting rotation after he began the season 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB over 19.1 innings, but he'll now be unavailable due to the back issue. Michael Lorenzen will take the open spot in the rotation, and he will be starting Monday at Detroit.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Bradford will remain in the rotation after the return of Michael Lorenzen (neck), Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford had been seen as the most logical candidate to be bumped from the rotation to make room for Lorenzen, but after the lefty collected a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB over his first 19.1 innings, Bochy had little choice but to keep Bradford where he is. What that means for Lorenzen and the rest of the Rangers' starters isn't clear. Lorenzen has allowed eight runs with a 13:9 K:BB over 11.1 innings in three rehab starts with Triple-A Round Rock and the plan has been to activate him early next week.

Bradford (3-0) earned the win against Oakland on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 6.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford gave up a run on two hits in the first frame, though the tally was unearned. The southpaw breezed from there, at one point retiring 18 of 20 batters before running out of gas in the seventh inning when he allowed a two-out single followed by a walk. Reliever Yerry Rodriguez was able to get the final out to keep Bradford's line clean of any earned runs, and the latter ended up taking the victory to move into an early tie for the league lead in wins with three. Bradford was initially expected to depart the rotation once Michael Lorenzen (neck) was built up enough to slide in as a starter, but it could be difficult for Texas to make that move now given Bradford's outstanding beginning to the campaign. Through 19.1 innings, he's posted a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB.

Bradford (2-0) yielded one run on two hits over 7.2 frames Friday, striking out four and earning a win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford dominated Houston on Friday, spinning seven shutout frames before the Astros finally pushed a run home in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old wasn't expecting to last long in the Rangers rotation but he may be forcing them to reconsider. Through two starts, he's posted an impressive 10:1 K:BB with a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings.

Bradford (1-0) earned a victory Saturday versus the Cubs, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford left a fastball up in the second inning to Dansby Swanson, who deposited it over the left-field wall for a two-run homer. That wound up being the only damage against the left-hander, as he needed just 76 pitches to cruise through his five frames. Bradford is expected to lose his spot in the Rangers' rotation once Michael Lorenzen (neck) is deemed ready, but he should get at least one more turn.

Bradford will start Saturday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford is in the Rangers' rotation as Michael Lorenzen (neck) builds up his workload. Barring any additional injury to the team's pitching staff, he'll shift to a relief role or be optioned to Triple-A Round Rock after a few turns as a starter. Bradford made his big-league debut in 2023, posting a 5.30 ERA across 56 innings, though he managed a more impressive 1.21 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday that Bradford will make at least one start early on in the season, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bradford is expected to lose his spot in Texas' rotation following the addition of Michael Lorenzen, but the club has yet to determine when Lorenzen will be ready to be slotted into the starting five. The left-handed Bradford will make the Opening Day roster and get at least one start, but it's not clear after that whether the plan is to shift him to the bullpen or put him in the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.

Bradford looks to no longer have a spot in the Rangers' rotation following the addition of Michael Lorenzen, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

After signing earlier this week, Lorenzen confirmed in an interview Friday that he will join the Rangers' rotation. Bradford had previously been named the team's fifth starter but now could shift to the bullpen or Triple-A Round Rock, although it's possible he will be needed for a start or two if Lorenzen isn't deemed ready yet.

Rangers GM Chris Young said Saturday that Bradford will begin the season in the starting rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old lefty entered camp as the favorite to open the season as Texas' No. 5 starter, and his 2.45 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11 spring innings likely helped him secure the role. Bradford worked as a swingman as a rookie last season and had a 5.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB across 20 outings (eight starts) overall, though he pitched much better in his 12 relief outings with a 2.82 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP in 22.1 frames.