Cam Cauley and Alejandro Osuna go deep for the Round Rock Express in an 8-7 loss to the Gwinnett Stripers
Cody Bradford made his first rehab start after missing all of 2025
September 25th, 2024, that's the last time Cody Bradford has pitched in an MLB game. So long ago, that the team Bradford faced on that day, The A's, still called themselves the Oakland A's.
On Thursday night, Cody Bradford took the mound for the Round Rock Express to face the Atlanta Braves AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, for his first rehab start after missing all of 2025 with an elbow injury. The Rangers hope to have Bradford back in Arlington by early May.
Bradford made it through the top of first inning unscathed by putting the first three batters he faced down on only 11 pitches. The only hard-hit ball was from former Ranger, Rowdy Tellez, who sent a ball to the warning track that was caught by Michael Helman. Tellez signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves right before the end of Spring Training.
In the bottom of the first, Cam Cauley hit his first home run of the season off Carlos Carrasco to give the Express a 1-0 lead. Carrasco is a former Clemente award winner and led the American League in wins in 2017. In 2019, he was the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
The second inning saw Bradford run into trouble. He gave up home runs Aaron Schunk, and DaShawn Keirsey. He was done after two innings, throwing 27 pitches, allowing 3 hits, 2 HRs and 2 ERs. Going into the game, Bradford had a set pitch limit of 30 pitches.
Bradford would be replaced by Trey Supak, who was the opening day starter for Round Rock last Friday in Sugarland. Supak gave up 4 earned runs in 4 innings on 5 hits.
The Stripers had a 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the 6th inning, before Alejandro Osuna tied the game with a 3-run homer, driving home Cooper Johnson and Richie Martin.
After Luis Curvelo gave a 2-run lead back the lead to Gwinnett in the 7th inning to give them an 8-6 lead, Josh Sborz was able to get out of the 8th inning with 3 outs on 12 pitches.
Down two runs in the bottom of the 9th, Round Rock was able to load the bases with walks by Cam Cauley, Trevor Hauver, and Justin Foscue. Tyler Wade brought home Cauley from 3b on a sacrifice fly.
Michael Helman struck out for the second out of the inning. DH Jose Herrera then walked to load the bases again, before Cooper Johnson flied out to left to end the ball game, giving the Stripers an 8-7 victory.
One week into the season, Michael Helman is struggling to get going. He has a .095 average, with just two hits on the season. He has only walked once.
Round Rock will take on Gwinnett again on Friday for the fourth game of the series.
