Taj Bradley Moves Closer to Return as Twins Begin Rehab Assignment Plan

The Minnesota Twins received a positive development on Saturday regarding right-hander Taj Bradley, who is progressing toward a return after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a pectoral injury. The update marks an important step in his recovery process as the club manages his absence from the rotation.

Bradley, 25, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, according to reporting from Aaron Gleeman. The assignment comes shortly after the right-hander completed a 20-pitch bullpen session on May 15, signaling continued improvement in his recovery.

The injury initially surfaced earlier in the month when Bradley reported soreness on May 7, leading to his placement on the injured list. Since then, the Twins have taken a cautious approach, prioritizing long-term health over a quick return.

His progression is particularly significant given his strong start to the 2026 season, where he had begun to establish himself as a key member of Minnesota’s rotation before the setback.

1. Encouraging Progress In Recovery

Bradley’s upcoming rehab appearance represents a key milestone in his return timeline. The assignment will allow him to face live hitters in a competitive setting for the first time since his injury. The right-hander’s recent bullpen session was viewed internally as a positive sign, with his mechanics and velocity reportedly trending in the right direction. That session helped clear the path for the next stage of his recovery. While one rehab outing is a step forward, the Twins are expected to closely monitor his workload before making any decision about activation. The organization is prioritizing gradual progression to avoid setbacks. Depending on how he responds, Bradley could require multiple rehab appearances before rejoining the major league roster.

2. Strong Start Interrupted By Injury

Before landing on the injured list, Bradley was enjoying a breakout stretch in the early portion of the season. Through his first eight starts, he had emerged as one of Minnesota’s most reliable starters. He posted a 2.87 ERA along with a 1.119 WHIP, while striking out 52 batters across 47 innings pitched. Those numbers marked career-best production and reinforced his growing role within the rotation. Originally developed with the Tampa Bay Rays, Bradley’s transition to Minnesota had been viewed as a major boost to the Twins’ pitching depth. His early-season performance validated that expectation. The injury interruption, however, halted momentum at a time when he was beginning to establish consistency as a frontline starter.

3. Rotation Adjustments And Return Outlook

In Bradley’s absence, the Twins have leaned on a reshuffled rotation featuring Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Connor Prielipp, and Zebby Matthews. Minnesota continues to evaluate matchups while managing innings across the staff. Prielipp took the mound on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, reflecting the team’s ongoing effort to maintain stability while key arms recover. The rotation depth has helped the Twins stay competitive despite injuries. Bradley is eligible to return from the injured list as early as May 21, though his actual activation will depend on how he performs during his rehab assignment. The organization has not committed to a specific timeline. Given the nature of his injury and the importance of his role, Minnesota is expected to proceed cautiously, ensuring he is fully ready before rejoining the major league rotation.