After spending nearly three weeks on the injured list, Taj Bradley returned to the mound in impressive fashion, helping the Minnesota Twins secure a 4–2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Activated from the 15-day injured list after missing time with pectoralis inflammation, Bradley delivered exactly what Minnesota needed, pitching five effective innings while striking out seven batters and allowing just one run on three hits and two walks.
Bradley Returns Firing, Overcomes Early Test, Earns Praise From Shelton
The outing marked Bradley’s first appearance since May 5, yet there were few signs of rust. Before the game, the 25-year-old spoke with his mother and admitted feeling energized by both his return and the chance to pitch in baseball’s most historic venues. That adrenaline showed early as he dominated through the opening innings, retiring eight of the first nine hitters he faced and reaching an eye-catching 100.3 mph with his fastball.
Boston briefly challenged him in the fourth inning when a double by Ceddanne Rafaela drove in a run. However, the inning ended with a runner thrown out at home plate, limiting the damage and preserving Bradley’s strong performance.
Twins manager Derek Shelton praised Bradley’s execution, noting that his command and pitch quality looked sharp despite only a brief rehab appearance. Shelton emphasized how well Bradley limited contact and generated strikeouts, calling the performance outstanding and highlighting the pitcher’s continued growth.
Bradley’s Preparation, Strong Relief Support, and Growth Fuel Twins’ Confidence
Much of Bradley’s progress stems from a more deliberate preparation process. Since joining Minnesota, he has transformed his approach by studying hitters and working closely with run-prevention coordinator Harry Welsh. Bradley explained that he now reviews scouting reports, writes notes on opposing hitters, and builds detailed game plans that carry into bullpen sessions and starts. Welsh described Bradley as increasingly mature, focused, and willing to simplify game plans to maximize effectiveness.
After Bradley exited, left-hander Kendry Rojas handled three scoreless innings to protect the lead, earning praise for mixing his fastball and breaking pitches effectively. Offensively, Minnesota provided enough support, highlighted by an RBI double from Austin Martin in the first inning. Bradley’s successful return gave the Twins both a win and optimism that one of their key starters is continuing to mature into a dependable frontline pitcher.
