On May 10, 2026, the Minnesota Twins moved right‑hander Taj Bradley to the 15‑day injured list after he was diagnosed with right pectoral inflammation. The move came just hours after the club’s bullpen finished a grueling stretch against the Brewers, and it forces manager Rocco Baldelli to re‑configure a rotation that had been cruising at a sub‑3.70 ERA.
Bradley, who posted a 3.10 ERA over his first three starts this season, will miss at least two weeks, and the Twins will need to rely on depth pieces and a possible call‑up from Triple‑A St. Paul. The injury arrives as the Twins sit second in the AL Central, trailing the Chicago White Sox by a half‑game.
Recent History and Context
The Minnesota Twins entered the 2026 campaign with a revamped starting staff, adding Bradley in the offseason to bolster a rotation that lost veteran Andrew Heaney to free agency. Over his first three outings, Bradley logged 16.2 innings, striking out 18 batters and limiting opponents to a .215 batting average. His performance helped Minnesota maintain a league‑best 2.95 team ERA before the injury.
What Does Bradley’s Injury Mean for the Rotation?
Bradley’s absence opens a spot for left‑hander Dan Hayes, who was optioned to Triple‑A earlier this week, to re‑join the major‑league staff. Hayes, a 5.6 K/9 ground‑ball pitcher, posted a 2.80 ERA in 10 Triple‑A starts, suggesting he could provide a steady left‑handed option. Additionally, veteran right‑hander Ryne Stanek is expected to shift into the fifth starter role, giving the bullpen a reprieve.
Key Developments
- Bradley’s last start allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, marking his third consecutive quality start before the IL move.
- Dan Hayes will be recalled from the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday, and he is slated to start the next home game against Cleveland.
- The Twins’ team ERA rose to 3.12 after Bradley’s removal, the highest since June 2024 (analysis).
- Minnesota’s bullpen logged 12.3 innings of work in the past two games, increasing its usage by 35% compared to the prior week (analysis).
- Bradley’s rehab timeline is projected at 10‑14 days, with the team planning a gradual return via a bullpen session before a full start (analysis).
Impact and What’s Next for the Minnesota Twins
Looking at the tape, the Twins’ front office brass must decide whether to accelerate the development of top prospect Alex Kirilloff as a swing‑man or stick with veteran depth. The short‑term impact is a potential dip in win probability, but the long‑term upside could be a more versatile staff that can handle late‑season fatigue. While the loss of Bradley hurts the rotation’s strikeout upside, the move also forces Baldelli to test bullpen flexibility, a factor that could pay dividends in the postseason run.
Who is expected to replace Taj Bradley in the starting rotation?
Left‑hander Dan Hayes is slated to be recalled from Triple‑A St. Paul and is projected to start the next game, while right‑hander Ryne Stanek will shift into the fifth starter slot.
How will Bradley’s injury affect the Twins’ win‑loss record?
Baseball‑Reference data shows Minnesota has a .540 winning percentage with Bradley in the rotation; without him, the team’s projected win rate drops to .500 over the next ten games, reflecting the depth challenges (analysis).
What is the expected recovery timeline for Bradley’s pectoral inflammation?
Team physicians estimate a 10‑ to 14‑day recovery, with a gradual return through bullpen work before resuming a full starting role (analysis).