Rays' Griffin Jax: Fans 10 but takes loss on long ball
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Jax (4-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out 10 across five innings.
Monday's series opener featured a pitching duel between Jax and Cam Schlittler, with the former retiring the first 13 batters he faced. However, Jax walked two-straight batters in the fifth, both of whom came home to score on a back-breaking, three-run home run by Jose Caballero. Jax struck out the next two batters in the frame to tie a career high in punchouts and finished his night with 16 whiffs on just 81 pitches (51 strikes), but he did not receive enough run support from his Rays teammates to avoid the loss. He'll take a 3.60 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 65 innings into his next start, which is lined up for this weekend at home against the Mariners.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Earns third straight win
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Jax (4-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five over six innings.
Jax surrendered all three of his runs via the long ball, as Carter Jensen led off the game with a homer and Bobby Witt added a two-run shot in the third inning. However, Tampa Bay's offense erupted for 10 runs while he was on the mound, giving him plenty of run support. Since allowing six runs over four innings June 1, Jax has bounced back, posting a 1.73 ERA over his last five outings while riding a three-start winning streak. He now owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB across 60 innings and is scheduled to face Houston on the road next.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Sharp in third win
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Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Nabs second win
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Jax (2-5) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on four hits in five innings during a 5-2 victory over the Nationals. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The right-hander sevrved up solo shots to CJ Abrams in the second inning and Luis Garcia in the third, but Jax otherwise kept Washington's hitters at bay over 69 pitches (47 strikes) as he collected his first win since April 18. He's lasted five innings in three straight starts as he continues his adjustment to a rotation role, but as of yet he hasn't recorded an out in the sixth inning in any of his 10 starts this season or thrown more than 72 pitches, usage which limits his fantasy appeal. Jax will take a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB through 49 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Royals.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: No-decision vs. Miami
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Jax did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Marlins, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings.
It was a nice bounce-back performance from Jax after he allowed three home runs in his last outing against the Tigers this past Monday. He tossed 37 strikes on 62 pitches Sunday while generating nine whiffs, and it was the third time this season that he completed five frames, all of which have come over his last five starts. Jax sits at a 4.15 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB across 39 innings this season, and his next start is slated for next weekend on the road against the Angels.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Day-to-day with back bruise
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Jax was diagnosed with a back contusion following his removal from Tuesday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jax was hit on the back by a 107.2-mph line drive in the second inning and was pulled when the Rays took the field for the third. His diagnosis suggests that he didn't suffer any structural damage as a result of the incident. However, the team will likely keep an eye on him over the next couple of days before confirming him for his next start -- tentatively slated to come against the Tigers on Monday.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Early exit Tuesday
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Jax was removed from Tuesday's game against the Orioles after getting hit by a comebacker, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jax took a 107.2-mph line drive off his back during the second inning of Tuesday's contest. He remained in the game immediately afterward and was able to finish the inning, but the Rays replaced him on the mound in the third. He'll presumably undergo testing to determine the severity of the damage done, and the Rays could have an update on his status in the near future.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Goes five innings in second start
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Jax did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing four hits and four walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out one.
In two outings since moving into Tampa Bay's rotation, Jax has allowed just two earned runs across nine innings. While he managed to make it through five innings Wednesday, Jax was ultimately stuck with a no-decision as the Rays would fall to Toronto in 10 innings. Overall, Jax sports a 3.91 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB across 23 innings this year. Assuming he remains in the rotation, Jax would line up for a home matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Effective as Saturday's opener
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Jax did not factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Giants. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across 2.2 scoreless innings.
Just like he did against the Twins last Sunday, Jax was effective as the Rays' opener Saturday, tossing 29 strikes on 45 pitches while generating eight whiffs. That set up Jesse Scholtens to take over in the third, and he proceeded to earn the victory after allowing just one run over three innings' work. The Jax/Scholtens duo seems to be working for the Rays this season, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Tampa Bay roll with that combo again next week on the road against the Red Sox. Over his last seven games, Jax has posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB across nine innings.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Opening Saturday's contest
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Jax is expected to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
The Rays opted to use Jax as an opener for their game against the Twins this past Sunday, when he tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in front of primary pitcher Jesse Scholtens. Tampa Bay could take a similar approach Saturday, though Jax also noted Friday that he's hoping to gradually increase his workload with the hope of eventually moving into the Rays rotation on a full-time basis. Jax has posted a 6.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 11.1 innings this season.
Jax (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Saturday as the Rays were downed by the Cardinals 6-5 in 10 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk in one-third of an inning.
After blowing the save in Tampa Bay's opener Thursday, Jax was called upon again to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, but he instead served up a walk-off single to rookie JJ Wetherholt after a walk and a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Jax came into the season expected to lead the Rays' closing committee despite the fact that he didn't record a save in 2025, but those plans could be changing quickly. Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger should be the next man up with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the shelf, but Bryan Baker -- who struck out two in a perfect ninth Saturday to get the game to extra innings -- might also be in the mix if manager Kevin Cash wants a righty instead.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Closer committee awaits
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Jax has given up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk across 4.2 combined innings between the Grapefruit League and World Baseball Classic this spring.
The right-hander is expected to open the season in a closer committee alongside Garrett Cleavinger, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) poised to join the mix once healthy. Jax had an underwhelming 4.23 ERA and 1.29 WHIP last season, but his 99:21 K:BB and 2.57 FIP better illustrate his high-leverage upside. He has three straight seasons of 18-plus holds but didn't record any saves last year, which isn't likely to be the case for long in 2026.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Settles with Tampa Bay
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Jax agreed to a one-year, $3.565 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jax receives a decent raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility after posting a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 99:21 K:BB over 66 innings between the Rays and Twins last season. The right-hander is expected to begin 2026 as part of Tampa Bay's closer committee, along with Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Traded to Rays
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The Rays acquired Jax from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Taj Bradley, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jax briefly appeared poised to step in as Minnesota's closer after Jhoan Duran was dealt on Wednesday, but the Twins instead fully committed to being deadline sellers. Jax had been operating has a setup man and is likely to fill the same role in Tampa Bay, though closer Pete Fairbanks' 5.79 ERA in his past nine outings could provide a path to saves.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Earns ninth hold
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Jax allowed a run on a home run with a strikeout in an inning of work in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox to earn his ninth hold.
After his early struggles (10 earned runs in his first eight innings) that saw him demoted to lower-leverage work, Jax had improved before Sunday with five scoreless innings and a 11:0 K:BB. Even with giving up the home run Sunday, it looks like he's back to working in the eighth inning ahead of closer Jhoan Duran.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Not sharp in regular season debut
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Jax allowed a run on a home run and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Cardinals.
Jax wasn't sharp in his first outing of the season as he was pulled after 21 pitches. Jax will reprise his late inning setup role again this season and should see some save chances when Jhoan Duran is used earlier in the game or unavailable.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Move to rotation not ruled out
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Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler indicated in a recent interview that the team is open to the possibility of moving Jax into the rotation, Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio reports.
Jax came up through the minors as a starting pitcher and made 14 starts for the Twins in 2021, posting a 6.10 ERA. He's since turned into a lockdown reliever, most recently collecting a 2.03 ERA and 95:15 K:BB over 71 innings this season. With a five-pitch mix and past starting experience, Jax would seem more equipped for a shift to the rotation than most relievers. The question is whether the uptick in stuff since his move to relief would translate back to a starting role.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Escapes with fifth save
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Jax gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Friday while striking out one, recording his fifth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.
Jhoan Duran got the call in the eighth inning to face the top of Toronto's order, leaving the ninth for Jax, but Jax ran into trouble with two outs after a Bo Bichette single kicked off a Jays rally. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has been using Duran as a relief ace rather than a pure closer and Duran has three saves and three holds in six appearances since coming off the IL in late April, but Jax hasn't been the sole beneficiary of the available opportunities -- Caleb Thielbar and Cole Sands have also picked up saves since Duran's season debut. Brock Stewart (shoulder) could also end up in that mix once he gets healthy. Jax has a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 17.2 innings on the season, and while Duran should see the majority of the save chances for the Twins, his main understudy could creep into the low double digits in saves by the time the season is done.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Duran returns from IL
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Jax will likely shift into a setup role since the Twins reinstated Jhoan Duran (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Jax pitched well as the fill-in closer to begin the season with four saves, a 2.25 ERA and 17:4 K:BB across 12 innings, but it appears his time in the role is now up. The right-hander should still see plenty of high-leverage opportunities as a setup man, but his fantasy utility will likely be minimal while Duran is healthy.
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Twins' Griffin Jax: Notches another save
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Jax pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out one to pick up his third save of the season Wednesday against the White Sox.
Jax seems to have taken hold of the closing job in place of Jhoan Duran, who's in the midst of a rehab assignment after suffering an oblique injury late in camp. Jax has twirled back-to-back perfect innings for a pair of saves and owns a 2.70 ERA with a 14:3 K:BB over 11 appearances (10 innings), but his run in the ninth inning will likely come to an end soon with Duran nearing activation.
