Spring Training is underway down in Fort Myers and the Minnesota Twins are off to a 2-4 start in Grapefruit League action. While the results don't necessarily matter, the situations certainly do.
Pablo Lopez is already out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery , and Joe Ryan missed his first start due to back inflammation . The MN Twins starting rotation was supposed to be the foundation of the roster. Even if it's largely settled , the runway for guys to go prove it is still there.
Taj Bradley is among the veteran options pencilled in, and he's not looking to leave doubt as he settles into his first year with a new organization.
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Last summer the Minnesota Twins sent Griffin Jax to the Tampa Bay Rays in order to acquire starting pitcher Taj Bradley. The move was part of an insane selloff , but the hope is that Bradley can become a rotation mainstay. He's got just under 400 innings of big league experience, but he wants to make an impression with his new team.
In camp for the first time with the MN Twins, Bradley was set to depart this week for World Baseball Classic preparations with Team Mexico. He has backed out of that commitment and will instead remain in Fort Myers.
Taj Bradley opted out of the WBC, will stay with #MNTwins instead of pitching for Team Mexico.
Originally told Derek Shelton of his decision Sunday, citing importance of working with new staff, catcher, etc.— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 25, 2026
Realistically, this is a smart move for Bradley. Although he is considered likely to operate as the Twins third starter behind Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober , there's still a level of production he needs to uphold. After being acquired from Tampa , he was sent to Triple-A and effectively needed to earn his way onto the big league roster.
Although the 24-year-old has significant big league experience he owns just a career 4.86 ERA (4.38 FIP) . His six starts with Minnesota resulted in a 6.61 ERA and he allowed six home runs in just 31 1/3 innings. Still acclimating to a new organization, and now with a new manager, the decision makes plenty of sense.
Bradley opting out is a significant blow to Team Mexico , however. Despite having long odds to compete for the title, he was their best pitcher. They will need to backfill his spot and get the heavy lifting done offensively.
Not long ago Taj Bradley was a consensus top-50 prospect across baseball. While still young, that luster has worn off while being largely mediocre at the big league level. Rather than continuing down the same path, he has brought some new wrinkles to his arsenal.
Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic) is in Fort Myers and got a level of insight from Bradley. Still young and seeking an avenue to find what works, there are multiple things in play.
"They simplified a lot of stuff for me. It's all in one, all encompassing. It's a good mix of coaches and mentors that you can throw all into one person and be a great pitcher from it."
Among the things being most closely looked at is Bradley's splitter. He uses the offering roughly 15% of the time , and is among a trio of fastball deviations. He pairs it with a sinker and curveball to complete his arsenal, but it could become a standout pitch.
"I threw a few good ones (Sunday). I found a grip I could be consistent with, and that's the one I just rode with all the way into spring training."
The Twins starter posted a career-low 4.11 ERA (4.09 FIP) in 2024. That remains his best season, and is not what Minnesota envisioned as the ceiling when swapping Griffin Jax for him. They pulled one over on Tampa Bay getting Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz though, and they are certainly hoping to have another long-term winner here.
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