Griffin Jax - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Rough opening weekend continues 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...

Impact 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 be the primary closer for the Rays despite the fact that he didn't record a save in 2025, but those plans could be changing quickly. Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger could 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.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt hits walk-off single to beat Rays 6-5 in 10th inning

St. Louis rookie JJ Wetherholt lined a two-run, 10th-inning single after Michael McGreevy tossed six hitless innings to help the Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Takes blown save in season debut Jax blew the save Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact The Rays had mounted a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning before St. Louis came roaring back in the second half of the frame, and Jax was unable to put out the fire. The right-hander entered the year as one of Tampa Bay's favorite for saves, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, but Thursday's effort won't do him many favors. That said, Garrett Cleavinger gave up two runs in one-third of an inning, so this closer committee appears to be very much unsettled.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Former Twin played critical role in Team USA's win over Dominican Republic in WBC semifinals Griffin Jax is no longer a Minnesota Twin, but fans will always root for him. A lovable and reliable right-handed pitcher, Jax once again sh...

MARCH 16 • PUCKETTSPOND.COM

Closer committee awaits 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Settles with Tampa Bay 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.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Shane McClanahan, hoping to pitch for Rays for first time since 2023, gets $3.6M, 1-year contract

Shane McClanahan, a two-time All-Star who last pitched in the major leagues in August 2023, avoided arbitration when he agreed to a $3.6 million, one-year contract with the Tampa B...

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Part of Rays' closer-by-committee Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta are expected to be part of a closer-by-committee for the Rays in 2026, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact There's been some talk of Jax potentially stretching out to join the Rays' rotation, but the current plan is to leave the 31-year-old in the bullpen. Acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, Jax had an elevated 4.23 ERA in 2025, but a 2.51 FIP and 35 percent strikeout rate were more indicative of how he pitched. Mason Montgomery, Bryan Baker, Hunter Bigge, Steven Wilson and Manny Rodriguez (elbow) could also work their way into high-leverage work, but the tentative plan seems to be for Jax, Cleavinger and Uceta to share the closer role.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Twins acquire reliever Eric Orze in trade with Rays for minor leaguer to begin bullpen rebuild

The Minnesota Twins have taken a small step toward rebuilding their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Eric Orze in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher...

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Lowe and Mangum homer and Rays flirt with no-hitter in 6-2 win over Orioles

Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum hit solo homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays kept the Baltimore Orioles hitless through the first six innings in a 6-2 victory

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Opening Wednesday Jax will serve as the Rays' opener in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact With Ryan Pepiot unavailable for his scheduled start Wednesday due to fatigue, the Rays will turn to Jax to kick things off in what figures to be a bullpen game. The 30-year-old right-hander has given up eight earned runs in just 12 innings since joining the Rays and isn't expected to pitch past the first inning during what will be his second opening assignment in seven days.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rays' 7-game win streak snapped after opener strategy falls flat TAMPA -- The Rays had their reasons for switching up their pitching plans on Friday night and slotting reliever Griffin Jax ahead of starter...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • MLB.COM

Guardians end Rays' winning streak at 7 with 7-1 victory

José Ramírez had three hits and two RBIs and the Cleveland Guardians had a five-run second inning in a 7-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Friday night, snapping the Rays’ season-best wi...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Rays try to keep home win streak alive, host the Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Cleveland Guardians looking to continue a six-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Opening Friday's game Jax will serve as the opener in Friday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Jax has worked primarily in high-leverage spots all season, and that has continued since he joined the Rays at the trade deadline. However, he's struggled to a 7.20 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 10 innings with Tampa Bay, so this could be a way for him to reset. Jax will likely only work one inning before turning things over to Ian Seymour.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Squanders save opportunity Jax didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 6-5 win over Seattle, allowing one run on two walks and one hit without recording an out.

Impact Jax took the mound in the ninth inning of a two-run game, but he was removed in favor of Garrett Cleavinger after yielding two walks and a single without logging an out. Cleavinger held on for the save, but one of Jax's inherited runners came in to score. It's unclear why regular closer Pete Fairbanks didn't pitch Tuesday, as Fairbanks had pitched once in the last three days and remains a reliable ninth-inning option.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Squanders save opportunity Jax didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 6-5 win over Seattle, allowing one run on two walks and one hit without recording an out.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Junior Caminero's 40th homer and 100th RBI help Rays beat Mariners 6-5

Junior Caminero hit his 40th homer and drove in four runs to reach 100 RBIs as the Tampa Bay Rays held on to beat Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners 6-5

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 • Associated Press

Josh Lowe homers twice and Ryan Pepiot throws 5 scoreless innings as Rays beat Nationals 4-1

Josh Lowe homered twice and drove in all four of Tampa Bay's runs as the Rays beat the Washington Nationals 4-1

AUGUST 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Who else? Manzardo delivers 3rd career walk-off to save Guards CLEVELAND -- Kyle Manzardo continues to deliver for the Guardians in clutch time. Manzardo lined a walk-off single off Griffin Jax on Wednes...

AUGUST 27, 2025 • MLB.COM

Kyle Manzardo delivers as the Guardians beat the Rays 4-3 in 10 innings

Kyle Manzardo hit a game-ending single with two out in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians topped the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3

AUGUST 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Messick pitches 7 shutout innings as Guardians beat Rays 3-0

Parker Messick pitched seven shutout innings in his second big league start, and the Cleveland Guardians snapped a six-game losing streak and a 28-inning scoreless drought with a 3...

AUGUST 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Takes loss Friday Jax (1-6) allowed three earned runs on three hits while striking out one across one inning to take the loss Friday against the Mariners.

Impact This marked Jax's fourth appearance since being dealt to the Rays, and the second in which he's allowed at least one earned run. He entered the game in the eighth inning with a two-run lead, but he allowed a pair of singles before serving up a three-run home run to Cal Raleigh. Jax now has an inflated 4.93 ERA on the season, but his 76:15 K:BB in 49.1 innings is indicative of how dominant he's been for long stretches of the campaign.

AUGUST 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Raleigh hits MLB-leading 43rd homer in 8th to rally Mariners to a 3-2 win over Rays

Cal Raleigh hit his MLB-leading 43rd homer of the season, a go-ahead three-run shot in the eighth inning, giving the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays

AUGUST 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Caminero homers twice to reach 30 in the Rays' 5-4 victory over the Angels

Junior Caminero hit his 29th and 30th homers, Christopher Morel had a go-ahead shot and six Tampa Bay pitchers combined to strike out 16 in the Rays’ 5-4 victory over the Los Angel...

AUGUST 6, 2025 • Associated Press

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