Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley was electric in his MLB debut on Wednesday night, striking out eight and helping the team win its 12th in a row to start the season — and he was optioned back to Triple-A Durham for his trouble.

The start to the 2023 MLB season has been nothing short of astounding for the Rays, who haven't showed any weakness en route to a 12-0 record. That leads the AL East by four games.

“A day after making his MLB debut, Bradley was optioned to Triple-A. The Rays' No. 1-ranked prospect fanned eight over five innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday,” wrote MLB.com on Thursday.

In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Braden Bristo was selected.

“Bristo gets his first callup in his Major League career after 182 games in the Minors. In four games this year with Triple-A Durham, he's allowed three runs on six hits over five innings,” per MLB.com.

Article Continues Below
More Tampa Bay Rays News
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
1 untouchable Rays player ahead of trade deadlineCameron Zunkel ·
Jun 1, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Wyatt Langford (36) runs to first base during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Rangers’ Wyatt Langford makes insane hurdle at first base vs. RaysMike Gianakos ·
Pete Fairbanks photoshopped in Phillies jersey.
Phillies’ perfect trade offer for Rays’ star relieverBailey Bassett ·
Brandon Lowe photoshopped in Yankees jersey.
Yankees’ perfect trade offer for Rays’ starBailey Bassett ·
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Rays’ Drew Rasmussen makes American League history in win vs. RangersYasmin Edañol ·
A Major League Baseball sits on the turf before a game between the Athletics and San Francisco Giants the at Oracle Park.
MLB rumors: Yankees, Phillies named best trade fits for Rays starsBenjamin Adducchio ·

The Rays are just one win shy of tying the MLB record for the best start to a season, a feat accomplished when the 1982 Atlanta Braves and 1987 Milwaukee Brewers each went 13-0 to kickoff their respective campaigns.

Taj Bradley allowed three runs across five innings while striking out eight batters, leaving the game with an 8-3 lead and coming away with the win after Pete Fairbanks shut the door to preserve a 9-7 win for the Rays over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

On Thursday afternoon, the Rays will have a chance to tie MLB history against those same Red Sox. Jeffrey Springs will get the start for Tampa Bay; he's been phenomenal in his first two appearances, with 19 strikeouts and not a single earned run.

The Red Sox will counter with Corey Kluber as they attempt to avoid a four-game sweep, and being on the wrong end of MLB history, at the hands of the red-hot Rays.