NEW YORK — The Rays weren’t involved that right-hander Taj Bradley was hit onerous after he was demoted to Triple-A Durham in late April. Before being recalled to the large leagues on Thursday to face the Mets at Citi Field, Bradley had allowed 16 earned runs in 9 innings over three outings for Durham, amounting to a 16.00 ERA. Opposing hitters had a 1.138 OPS in opposition to him.
But as Bradley returned to the large league mound, Rays supervisor Kevin Cash was assured that he was going to see the pitcher who gave Tampa Bay three sturdy outings in April earlier than his demotion.
“He has been in a unique situation — has three good starts [in the big leagues],” Cash mentioned earlier than the sport. “I don’t want to speak for Taj. But I trust we are going to see a guy with good stuff. He is excited to be back.”
At first, it appeared like Bradley wasn’t going to final lengthy: he threw 30 pitches within the first inning, permitting a run earlier than escaping. It didn’t assist that he was shifting too quick along with his supply. The early outcomes prompted pitching coach Kyle Snyder to inform Bradley that he had some mechanical points along with his entrance shoulder.
It additionally didn’t assist that the Rays made some head scratching selections that inning. With Francisco Lindor on second base, Jeff McNeil hit a routine single to left. Outfielder Randy Arozarena was too gradual throwing the ball again into the infield, which allowed McNeil to advance to second base.
After Pete Alonso walked to load the bases, Brett Baty grounded out to first baseman Luke Raley, bringing residence Lindor. It appeared like Raley had an opportunity to show a double play and forestall the Mets from scoring, however Cash mentioned Raley did the appropriate factor by as a substitute taking the ball straight to first base.
“It’s very tough to turn a double play there with a left-handed batter getting down the line pretty good. We are going to guarantee the out [at first base],” Cash mentioned.
After the stroll to Alonso within the first inning, Bradley went on to retire 14 of the subsequent 16 batters he confronted, his solely blemish being an Alonso residence run within the fourth. He picked up 4 strikeouts and allowed three hits.
“I’m really impressed with Taj,” Cash mentioned. “I don’t know if we could have expected that performance, the way the first inning started. The strike zone wasn’t here for him easily, but he did a nice job for a young pitcher to come in, reset himself and really gave us four good innings of work. So you have to be pleased with that.”
Bradley put himself in elite firm on Thursday. He grew to become the fourth Rays starter in franchise historical past to permit three earned runs or fewer in every of his first 4 profession begins, becoming a member of Jake Faria (seven), Jeremy Hellickson (six) and Brian Stokes (4).
Bradley additionally has 27 strikeouts within the first 4 video games of his Major League profession, the fourth-most by a Rays pitcher behind Faria (29), Chris Archer (28) and Wade Davis (28).
A visit to the Minor Leagues did nothing to discourage Bradley from getting again to the Show. The key was sustaining a optimistic perspective even whereas getting hit onerous at Triple-A.
“I was down there happy,” Bradley mentioned. “I had fun laughing. I’m going to be mad? For what? I can’t change something. I can’t inform anyone what to do. I simply went down there and made what I can of it. Like they mentioned, I had some issues to study down there and did it. Here I’m. Being upset wouldn’t have achieved something.
“The numbers [in the Minor Leagues] didn’t look great, but the cutter was better. It was harder. We were working on the fastball. It feels better. The curveball was more consistent. If you define that diamond in the rough, that was mine.”
Bradley mentioned he’s anticipated to be within the Major Leagues for the foreseeable future. He will substitute Drew Rasmussen within the rotation. Rasmussen will miss a prolonged time period due to a flexor pressure in his proper elbow, which he suffered in opposition to the Yankees final week.
“This time was a little bit better,” Bradley mentioned. “When I first got called up for my debut, I was told, ‘You are going to the big leagues and make a spot start. This time, [they said], ‘You are not going back [to the Minor Leagues].’ Just to hear those words … it’s reassurance. I’m here to stay and I can work on my stuff up here.”
Content Source: www.mlb.com