Mariners reliever Chasen Bradford is slated to miss the bulk of the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last Thursday, per reports from Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times and MLB.com’s Greg Johns. The news isn’t entirely unexpected, as Bradford had been sidelined since early June with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow.
Given the lengthy recovery time that typically follows Tommy John surgery, it’s doubtful that Bradford will pitch at all next year, though he’ll likely make it back to the mound in time for spring training in 2021. The 30-year-old righty will be arbitration-eligible in 2021 and is not slated to hit free agency until 2024.
This appears to be the first significant setback of Bradford’s three-year career in the majors to date. He made just 12 appearances for the team in 2019, recording one save with a 4.86 ERA, 2.2 BB/9, and 5.9 SO/9 across 16 2/3 innings of relief.