Taj Bradley made a strong statement to the Tampa Bay Rays organization with his recent performance after being optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on July 24. In his season debut for the Bulls, Bradley pitched seven no-hit innings against the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves’ affiliate, showcasing the skill the Rays could use in their 2025 roster.
During the game, Bradley threw 89 pitches, with 56 strikes, walked two batters, and struck out three, earning the win in Durham’s 8-1 victory. This appearance marked a clear demonstration of his ability to dominate at the minor league level and suggests he could fill a gap for the Rays moving forward.
Taj Bradley’s night is officially done after 7 hitless frames, recording 2 walks & these 3 strikeoutsFinal line: 7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 SOHe threw 89 pitches, 56 for strikes pic.twitter.com/hA9IRS9pEW
—Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 31, 2025
Analyzing Bradley’s Performance With the Tampa Bay Rays
At 24 years old, Taj Bradley began the 2025 season with the Rays and has so far posted a 6-6 record with a 4.61 ERA over 21 starts. In 111.1 innings pitched, he allowed 65 runs, 57 of them earned, while striking out 95 batters and issuing 44 walks. These numbers reflect a pitcher still finding consistency at the major league level.
Over three seasons with Tampa Bay, Bradley has accumulated a 19-25 record in 69 games (67 starts) and holds a 4.70 ERA. Notably, his strikeout rate per nine innings has declined from 11.1 in his rookie year in 2023 to 7.7 in 2025, indicating a lessening dominance over hitters. Similarly, his strikeout-to-walk ratio has dropped from 3.31 to 2.16 during the same period, suggesting control and effectiveness challenges.
Rays’ Roster Changes and Bradley’s Future Role
As the MLB trade deadline approached, the Tampa Bay Rays made moves that could open opportunities for Bradley in the rotation. They traded veteran starter Zack Littell to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team deal, acquiring catcher Hunter Feduccia and right-hander Brian Van Belle in return. Feduccia, 28, has mostly played at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, while Van Belle, also 28, has not yet made his major league debut.
With Littell gone, a spot in the starting rotation is now available, making Bradley’s recent Triple-A outing particularly timely. His performance could influence the Rays’ decision on whether and when to recall him for a major league role later in the season or in 2025.
When Bradley was sent down to Durham, Rays manager Kevin Cash explained the rationale behind the move, emphasizing the need for Bradley to refine his pitching approach without the daily pressure of competing at the MLB level.
Tough decision certainly, but we feel like it’s best for him to get down there right now,” Cash said.
“He’s got to get to work. We’ve talked about the two-pitch mix that he’s been rolling out there a little and I think that it’s probably a better environment there to work rather than compete every pitch.”
“But know that Taj Bradley is massive to our success, and we need to get him back to the form that we know he’s capable of.”
—Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays Manager
The Significance of Bradley’s Progress for the Rays
Taj Bradley’s dominant seven no-hit innings at Triple-A underscore the talent the Tampa Bay Rays are still developing within their system. With the club facing rotation adjustments following the Littell trade, Bradley’s improvement could be a critical factor in their efforts to strengthen pitching depth in 2025.
If Bradley can regain his strikeout effectiveness and command, the Rays may have a key arm to rely on as they rebuild their starting rotation. His time in the minors could provide the environment needed to retool his pitching arsenal, ultimately benefiting Tampa Bay in the near future.