ARLINGTON – Cody Bradford will take the big test on Friday. <\/p>\n
He will attempt to throw breaking balls. <\/p>\n
To date, all that has happened in two months worth of recovery and rehab from a left elbow sprain<\/a> has been both smooth and pretty predictable. It by no means means he\u2019s out of the woods. Breaking balls will provide the ultimate diagnosis. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a big day,\u201d Bradford said Wednesday. \u201cThe volume has been there with the fastball and the changeup. I\u2019m very excited to throw breaking balls, but you just don\u2019t know how the ligament is going to feel. <\/p>\n Rangers<\/p>\n \u201cBack in spring, when he first diagnosed me, Dr. [Keith] Meister said, \u2018You\u2019ll rest four weeks, you\u2019ll feel really good. If you feel something, it\u2019s going to come when you throw breaking balls.\u2019 I knew it was a long time to wait, but I was like \u2018Ok, doc\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n What goes unspoken: If the ligament doesn\u2019t feel right upon the breaking ball test, then elbow surgery, which would cost him the rest of this year and most of 2026 would become a more significant discussion. <\/p>\n Bradford has thrown four bullpens so far since getting on a mound, his most recent one being 30 pitches on Tuesday. If he clears the breaking ball hurdle, he\u2019ll likely throw two additional bullpens before facing hitters in some capacity. <\/p>\n If all goes well, the Rangers<\/a> could potentially accelerate his return by having him work out of the bullpen. Last July, Bradford made just two rehab outings after a long recovery from a stress reaction<\/a> in his lower back. One was a start, but in name only. He went just two innings. The next time out, he asked that if the Rangers planned to use him as a reliever that he enter the game in that role. <\/p>\n If things were to stay as they are, the Rangers\u2019 more pressing need is in the bullpen, which is currently without Chris Martin and has had to shuffle some roles lately. <\/p>\n Though Bradford initially returned to the team as a reliever last year, he shortly thereafter returned to starting and over nine starts to end the season he posted a 3.33 ERA.<\/p>\n Evan Carter could take key step toward Texas Rangers return this weekend<\/a>Texas Rangers weighing potential plan for rotation with Nathan Eovaldi\u2019s status uncertain<\/a><\/p>\n Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n