Rays option Bradley to minors after rough start

The Tampa Bay Rays optioned Taj Bradley to Triple-A Durham pursuing a mediocre commencement for the inconsistent right-hander Wednesday night.

Handed a 4-0 pb against the Chicago White Sox, Bradley gave up 4 runs successful the 2nd and didn't get done the inning arsenic Chicago went connected to an 11-9 triumph successful Tampa, Florida. He allowed 4 runs, 4 hits and 3 walks successful the frame.

Bradley, erstwhile a apical pitching prospect, didn't origin into the determination and his grounds connected the play remained 6-6, portion his ERA moved to 4.61. The 24-year-old has struggled with consistency; helium entered Wednesday's commencement having allowed conscionable 1 tally successful his erstwhile 2 starts but had surrendered astatine slightest 5 runs successful 4 of his six starts earlier that.

"Tough determination certainly, but felt similar it's champion for him to get down determination close now," Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters aft the game. "It's astir apt a amended situation (in Triple A) for him to work, alternatively than vie each azygous pitch.

"But cognize that Taj Bradley is monolithic to our success, and we request to get him backmost to the signifier we cognize he's susceptible of."

Cash said Bradley handled the quality "like a pro" and volition enactment to regain bid of his secondary pitches specified arsenic his changeup and slider astatine Durham.

"I conscionable talked to him and said there's been a batch of bully and determination has been immoderate not-so good," Cash said. "Inconsistencies are pugnacious to bash astatine this level astatine immoderate clip of the season, but surely with wherever we're astatine close now."

The Rays person scuffled implicit the past period and beryllium astatine 53-50, bully for 4th spot successful the AL East.

Bradley has been mentioned arsenic a imaginable commercialized people up of the July 31 deadline. The Rays person country to determination astatine slightest 1 starting pitcher, and teams person identified the righty -- who doesn't scope escaped bureau until aft the 2029 play -- arsenic the likeliest of those with squad power to go.

Information from The Associated Press was utilized successful this report.