TAMPA — With Taj Bradley getting knocked out in the second inning Wednesday for his third straight rough start, the Rays could have made a decision to send him down to Triple A.

That would have given the 24-year-old right-hander a chance to reset himself and work out his issues in a less competitive environment, while the Rays have options (Joe Boyle, Kyle Gibson, Ian Seymour) to cover his spot in the rotation.

But the Rays are sticking with Bradley, confident he can work things out at the big-league level, where he has a 12.54 ERA working 9 1/3 innings total over his last three starts, and is 4-5, 4.95 overall.

“It’s can you make the adjustments here versus does it require a different atmosphere,” pitching coach Kyle Snyder said Thursday. “I don’t think there’s overhauls in play. And given that, I think it’s on me to figure out how to best access some of those things that we know will change some of that production, and I’m confident that it can be here.

“He’s still an extremely talented pitcher that just is going through some stuff right now that, in all likelihood, is temporary. It’s up to me to help and figure that out.”

Snyder said Bradley can do better in throwing more pitches in the zone before getting to two strikes, increasing his strikeout rate (21.3%, down from 26.6 last season), ending at-bats sooner, reducing his walk rate (9.9%, up from 8.1) and improving his change-up.

“The change-up is not the pitch it was last year,” Snyder said.

“This is a player that we’ve had a lot of confidence in and still realize is young, but it’s definitely time to take some steps forward in terms of the maturation of what that looks like,” Snyder said. “But there are definitely things that we’re confident in just approaching him with and feeling pretty good about if he’s able to apply some of those things that he’s going to turn things around.

“He’ll be able to put a couple of good starts together, which I’m sure will do wonders for his confidence.”

Manager Kevin Cash said they definitely remain confident that Bradley, who has a career 17-24, 4.80 mark, can get straightened out, starting Tuesday in Kansas City.

“And trust that he will,” Cash said. “We’re going to continue to support him. I know Kyle and (bullpen coach Jorge Moncada), and our pitching department are going to do everything to help him …

“Taj is going through it right now. Every player has it in certain points of their career, or certain points of seasons. He’s in a little bit of a rut. I think the most important thing for him is — and hopefully he would say this — is he’s got to just simplify some things and get back to strike one and trust his stuff a little bit. We all know the feeling. We’ve all witnessed it. You’re trying to get three outs in two pitches, and that’s not realistic. Just execute a pitch at a time.”

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your optionsSeabold added to bullpenReliever Connor Seabold joins the Rays, with Cole Sulser getting sent down to Triple A. Reliever Connor Seabold joins the Rays, with Cole Sulser getting sent down to Triple A. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

After using six relievers to cover seven-plus innings Wednesday, the Rays added a fresh arm to their bullpen by calling up Connor Seabold, who can cover multiple innings as he has been working in a starter/bulk role at Triple-A Durham.

But to make room, they sent down Cole Sulser, who didn’t work Wednesday but had thrown a season-high 33 pitches on Tuesday and had been the most recent call-up. “Tough for Sulser, for sure,” Cash said. “Tough message.”

Rehab report

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim (right shoulder surgery recovery) is expected to resume his rehab soon with Durham, having been pulled off his original assignment Friday due to right hamstring tightness. After sitting out five days, he gets a new rehab window of up to 20 days. … Infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios (right knee sprain) is expected to stay with Durham through the weekend, having hit .133 (2-for-15) in his first four games.

Miscellany

WICKED 🪄

Everybody, meet the Shane Bazzlehead. pic.twitter.com/xGpu5BJyJU

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 19, 2025

The Rays announced an attendance of 10,046, their 39th sellout in 47 home games at Steinbrenner Field. … The game started 15 minutes late due to rain in the area. … Friday starter Shane Baz was impressed with the resemblance of his bobblehead, which was given out Thursday: “They did an amazing job. It honestly exceeded my expectations a little bit.” … The Rays, per Stats Perform, on Wednesday were the first of 450-plus modern-era teams to allow eight or more runs in an inning to open the game’s scoring and then coming back to win without allowing another run or hit.

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.