Griffin Jax
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2024Flyers2200002028.2281842555.65
2025Flyers50001226.0533804.50
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 4 2025Jax 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 18 2025Jax (0-2) took the loss in Friday's 6-4 loss to Atlanta. He allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax began the eighth inning with a three-run lead but couldn't hit his spots and wasn't helped by a shaky defense. It's his second poor outing in a row that has cost the Twins a lead. He has an ugly 11.25 ERA and 2.13 WHIP. He does have a strong 12:3 K:BB in eight innings with an unsustainable .480 BABIP, so there's plenty of reasons to believe he'll turn his season around. Still, he may see usage in lower-leverage spots the next few games to get him back on track.
Apr 6 2025Jax pitched one inning, surrendering two runs on three hits while striking out three batters on his way to a blown save in Sunday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Astros. He did not factor into the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax was tasked with protecting a 7-5 lead in top of the ninth inning and promptly allowed a leadoff single to Isaac Paredes and a subsequent game-tying two-run homer to Yordan Alvarez to open the frame. The right-hander settled in from there, working around a double from Christian Walker and striking out the final three batters of the inning. Jax has now allowed two home runs this season while giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in three appearances out of Minnesota's bullpen.
Mar 27 2025Jax allowed a run on a home run and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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 where he is often used to close games when Johan Duran is unavailable or if the matchup calls for Duran to be used earlier in the game.
Jan 9 2025Jax and the Twins avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.365 million contract, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax was arbitration eligible for the first time, coming off a 2024 campaign in which he turned in a tidy 2.03 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 95:15 K:BB while collecting five wins, 10 saves and 24 holds in 71 innings out of the bullpen. Though reports earlier in the offseason suggested that Jax could be a candidate to move into the rotation in 2025, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed Wednesday that the right-hander will remain a key part of the late-inning ranks during the upcoming season. Jhoan Duran will presumably head into spring training as the Twins' preferred closer, but Jax will likely be first in line for save chances if Duran misses time or is removed from the role for performance-related reasons.
Jan 8 2025Jax will remain in the Twins' bullpen rather than move into the rotation, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Twins' coaching staff indicated earlier in the offseason that a shift to the rotation for Jax was a possibility, but it appears it's no longer being considered. Jax was a starting pitcher in the minors and made 14 starts for the Twins in 2021, but he's since blossomed as a reliever, most recently posting a 2.03 ERA and 95:15 K:BB over 71 innings in 2024. The 30-year-old will enter the upcoming season as Minnesota's top setup man, but he picked up 10 saves last season and, with manager Rocco Baldelli not committed to traditional bullpen roles, Jax should see some save chances in 2025.
Nov 13 2024Twins 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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, of course, is whether the uptick in stuff since his move to relief would translate back to a starting role.
Sep 21 2024Jax yielded an unearned run and struck out one batter in one inning Friday. He earned a save in the extra-innings win over Boston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax allowed the automatic runner to score after a pair of groundouts in the 12th inning but had no trouble finishing off the 4-2 victory. It was his second save over his last three appearances after not converting one since Aug. 5. Jhoan Duran threw a scoreless eighth inning while the game was tied 1-1. Jax has racked up 10 saves while posting an impressive 91:15 K:BB and 2.10 ERA through 68.2 innings this season.
Sep 17 2024Jax earned the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win at Cleveland, pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout while allowing one hit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After suffering the loss Monday night, Jax relieved Jhoan Duran with runners on first and second with one out in the ninth. Jax had struggled of late, as he entered this contest with a 6.14 ERA across 7.1 innings this month, so this performance was a welcome sight. Although he has been better than Duran -- pitching to a 2.16 ERA across 66.2 innings compared to Duran's 3.99 ERA across 49.2 innings -- Jax collected his first save since Aug. 5. The 29-year-old has been a stalwart in the Minnesota bullpen, pitching to a 2.08 FIP, 0.91 WHIP and 88:15 K:BB with nine saves and 24 holds this season.
Aug 5 2024Jax picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Cubs, pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout. He allowed one hit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax secured his first save since June 23, working around a Cody Bellinger single to wrap up the Twins' 63rd win of the season. Jhoan Duran worked the eighth inning, retiring the eight and nine hitters before allowing a double to Ian Happ then striking out Michael Busch. Perhaps manager Rocco Baldelli will start using Jax in more save situations amid a tight AL Wild Card race as the 29-year-old has been better than Duran this season, pitching to a 2.01 ERA and 2.11 FIP -- versus Duran's 3.47 ERA and 3.91 FIP -- across 49.1 innings with an 11.9 K/9.
Jun 23 2024Jax struck out two and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Twins haven't had much need for their bullpen this weekend, as Bailey Ober tossed a complete game Saturday and Pablo Lopez went eight innings Sunday. Jax hadn't pitched since Thursday, so he was a little fresher than Jhoan Duran, who last pitched Friday, which likely explains manager Rocco Baldelli's decision. Jax has done well in a high-leverage role this year, posting a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB over 34.1 innings. He's added seven saves and 12 holds, though he's likely to remain second in the hierarchy for closing duties.
Jun 16 2024Jax allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in an 8-7 win over the Athletics in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax hadn't logged a save since May 10, but he received the opportunity to do so Sunday after Jhoan Duran closed out the matinee game. While the two relievers initially shared closing duties early in May, Duran has been the Twins' main closer for about a month while Jax has settled into a setup role. Jax has been excellent all year with a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB with six saves, 12 holds and two blown saves over 31.1 innings.
May 11 2024Jax 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jhoan Duran got the call in the eighth inning to face the top of Toronto's order, leaving the ninth for Jax, but he 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 he 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 Duran should see the majority of save chances for the Twins, but his main understudy could creep into the low double digits in saves by the time the season is done.
Apr 30 2024Jax will likely shift into a setup role since the Twins reinstated Jhoan Duran (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 26 2024Jax earned the save Thursday against the White Sox, striking out one over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax entered the game with one out and the bases loaded to protect a four-run lead in the top of the ninth inning, and he got Eloy Jimenez to go down swinging before Robbie Grossman reached on a fielding error, bringing home a run. Jax's next pitch coaxed a groundout from Andrew Vaughn to secure his fourth save of the season. The right-hander has not allowed a run in any of his last four appearances and has held his opponents hitless in each of his last three, striking out four over that stretch while not issuing any walks. However, Jax's stint as closer is likely about to end with Jhoan Duran (oblique) on a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul and poised to make his 2024 debut within the next week or so.
Apr 24 2024Jax pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out one to pick up his third save of the season Wednesday against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax seems to have taken hold of the closing job in place of Jhoan Duran, who's on the mend after sustaining an oblique injury. 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 (10.0 innings).
Apr 20 2024Jax pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Tigers on Saturday en route to his second save of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Called upon to protect a one-run lead, Jax was nails, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. He reached as high as 96.9 mph on his fastball and earned his first save since Opening Day. While Jax appears to be first in line for save chances right now, he doesn't seem to have much of a window with Jhoan Duran (oblique) closing in on a rehab assignment. Duran threw 21 pitches in live batting practice Friday.
Apr 4 2024Jax threw a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's win at Milwaukee while Steven Okert pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Okert would have be in line for a save had the Twins not scored in the top of the ninth inning. "At that point in the game, Okert with the experience was probably the answer," manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax, who has Minnesota's only save with Jhoan Duran on the injured list, was used in the eighth inning against the heart of the Brewers' lineup. Jax is still likely to be the first option and get the most save chances with Duran out, but Wednesday's game shows that Baldelli may play matchups with his bullpen regardless of the save statistic.
Mar 28 2024Jax threw a scoreless inning with a walk and strikeout to record the save in Thursday's Opening Day win at Kansas City. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the injured list and expected to miss several weeks, it was Jax who got the call in the 9th inning to protect a three-run lead. Brock Stewart was used in the eighth inning, so it looks like Jax will be the primary closer with Duran out. However, the Twins could mix and match the two in save situations.
Mar 18 2024Jax and Brock Stewart are likely to fill in at closer for the Twins while Jhoan Duran (oblique) is sidelined, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax has turned into a weapon out of the Twins' bullpen over the last two seasons, posting a 3.60 ERA and 146:39 K:BB over 137.2 innings, collecting five saves along the way. He's also been dominant this spring, yielding just two hits and no runs with a 10:0 K:BB over six frames. Both Jax and Stewart are worthy short-term fantasy darts, though it's possible manager Rocco Baldelli won't settle on one guy.
Mar 15 2024Jax has thrown six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks this spring. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He's in midseason form and ready to return as the primary setup man to closer Jhoan Duran. Jax's 3.3 barrel percentage allowed was in the 97th percentile last season, while his hard-hit percentage, average exit velocity and 56.8 percent ground ball rate were all well above-average. He should be a significant source of holds (23 last season) and an occasional save again this year.
Sep 27 2023Jax picked up a save against the Athletics on Wednesday by striking out the only batter he faced. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jhoan Duran worked the seventh inning Wednesday, giving Dallas Keuchel and Jax an opportunity to cover the final two frames. Keuchel pitched a scoreless eighth but put two runners on base in the ninth to bring the winning run to the plate, prompting Jax's entrance. Jax answered the call, striking out rookie phenom Zack Gelof to end the threat and notch his fourth save of the season. Two of those saves have come over his past three outings, but Duran's closer role is secure, so Jax should work primarily as a high-leverage setup option in the playoffs.
Sep 21 2023Jax picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax issued a leadoff walk to Nick Martini after entering the game with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, but the right-handed reliever was able to retire the next three batters to record his third save of the season and his first since Aug. 24. Jax has allowed just one hit over his last three appearances and now carries a 3.12 ERA in September after he scuffled to a 9.00 ERA in August. Jhoan Duran remains the clear closer, but he pitched the eighth inning Wednesday before Minnesota's late comeback since he recently hasn't seen much work.
Aug 24 2023Jax earned a save over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over one inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Twins closer Jhoan Duran threw 33 pitches over 1.2 innings in a loss Wednesday, so Jax was summoned Thursday with the team up by two heading into the ninth inning. Jax issued a one-out walk but erased it by inducing a game-ending double-play groundout. The right-hander notched his second save of the campaign, but his other came over two months ago, and he's not expected to see many more opportunities as long as Duran is healthy.
Jun 14 2023Jax picked up the save Wednesday against the Brewers, striking out one over one scoreless inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax entered the game in the ninth inning and went 1-2-3 through the Brewers' lineup to nail down his first save of the season. The right-hander, who'd blown all four of his save opportunities this season coming in, threw a sweeper on seven of his 11 pitches to end the game. He has not allowed a run since May 19 against the Angels, registering 12 strikeouts with no walks over that stretch (9.2 innings).
Jun 1 2023Jax (3-6) earned the win in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Guardians. He didn't allow a hit or walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax struggled with an 8.18 ERA and three blown saves between April 21 to May 19. He's since thrown five scoreless innings in his last five appearances with an 8:0 K:BB ratio, so it looks like he's back to being a reliable setup man.
Apr 29 2023Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out two in Friday's 8-6 victory over the Royals. He earned his fifth hold. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax has a 3.18 ERA and 14:2 K:BB ratio in 11.1 innings as he picked up where he left off last season as a high-impact reliever. He's working as a key setup man for the Twins, but could get a save chance the next day or two with Jhoan Duran away from the team for a personal issue.
Mar 31 2023Jax threw a scoreless eighth inning with a walk in Thursday's win over against Kansas City to earn his first hold of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was notable that Jax was used in the eighth inning ahead of Jhoan Duran in the ninth with Pablo Lopez working the seventh inning. It may just be the first game, but Jax looked ahead of Lopez in the order of the bullpen. Jax had a breakout season after moving to the bullpen last season and became a key setup man for the Twins. He improved both his strikeout (26.9 percent) and walk (6.9 percent) rates with a 78:20 K:BB ratio over 72.1 innings. It looks like he could be the main set-up man and rack up the holds again and possibly be in the mix for saves if manager Rocco Baldelli sticks to his previous matchup-based bullpen use.
Feb 27 2023Jax threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout and a walk in his spring debut Monday. Jax has introduced a new pitch this spring, a cutter, which he worked on at Driveline in the offseason, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax will likely use the cutter as a rare change of pace, as his primary off-speed pitch, a slider, held opponents to a .187 batting average against last season. Jax had a breakout season after moving to the bullpen and became a key setup man for the Twins. He improved both his strikeout (26.9 percent) and walk (6.9 percent) rates with a 78:20 K:BB ratio over 72.1 innings. He also induced grounders at a 47.3 percent rate and had 18 holds. He should be a good source of holds again, and possibly some saves, in Minnesota's bullpen.
Jul 31 2022Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Padres to earn his 10th hold. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax has become a key setup man after transitioning from being a starting pitcher last season. He's improved both his average fastball velocity (95.3 mph from 92.7 mph last season) and strikeout rate (9.6 K/9 from 7.1 K/9 last season). Despite Minnesota's struggles to find a steady closer at times, Jax hasn't been used at the end of games, however.
May 7 2022Jax (2-0) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, striking out two while allowing one hit across 1.2 scoreless innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax entered a scoreless tie with one out in the sixth inning and completed the frame without allowing a baserunner. The Twins went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the inning, and Jax remained on the mound for the seventh, allowing just a two-out double. He now owns a 1.35 ERA in 13.1 innings of relief this season, a far cry form the 6.37 ERA he posted as primarily a starter last year.
Apr 12 2022The Twins recalled Jax from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax had been preparing for a starting role for St. Paul after he was optioned to the affiliate Thursday, but his turn in the rotation never came up before he was called back up to Minnesota. He's expected to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen while he's up with the Twins.
Apr 7 2022The Twins optioned Jax to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax was moved to the bullpen this spring and was competing for a middle-relief role, but he ultimately fell short in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The Twins could consider moving Jax back to a starting role as he heads to St. Paul.
Mar 15 2022Jax will move to the bullpen and work in a relief role this season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Jax will get ready for one- to three-inning assignments, two or three times a week, according to manager Rocco Baldelli. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax finished his first big-league season with a 6.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB across 82 innings. He was a starter in 14 of 18 outings. He'll try to win a role in middle relief. Jax and Lewis Thorpe moving to the bullpen could be a sign the Twins are set to bring in more veteran starting pitchers or are ready to have younger talent contend for rotation roles.
Oct 3 2021Jax (4-5) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, pitching five shutout innings during which he allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax put together an up-and-down rookie campaign, and he saved his best for last as Saturday's outing was his first in which he didn't allow a run. The right-hander surrendered just one hit -- a third-inning single -- and didn't allow any runners to reach second base. Jax finished his first big-league season with a 6.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB across 82 innings. Moving forward, he'll need to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park to find sustained success, as his 2.52 HR/9 in 2021 ranks third-highest among pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings.
Sep 27 2021Jax (3-5) allowed four runs on six hits while striking out two over five innings as he took the loss against the Blue Jays on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax was punished by the long ball Sunday. He allowed two runners on in the second before serving up a three-run blast to Danny Jansen to give the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead. George Springer later added a home run of his own after hitting a solo shot against Jax in the fifth. Jax would end up finishing the frame before calling it a day at 83 pitches. He was finding the strike zone a lot, as he threw 61 strikes and didn't walk anybody but was hurt by a few big mistakes. The 26-year-old hasn't won a game since Aug. 10 and sports an ugly 6.78 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 62:27 K:BB over 77 innings this season. He's projected to take the hill one more time in Kansas City next weekend.
Sep 21 2021Jax didn't factor in the decision against the Cubs on Tuesday, pitching three innings and allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-handed rookie gave up one run in each of the three innings in which he pitched, with the final two tallies coming by way of the long ball. Though it wasn't a very efficient outing -- Jax needed 72 pitches to retire nine batters -- he did flash some solid strikeout stuff, as his six punchouts were his most since he fanned 10 on Aug. 10. Jax has looked good at times this season, but his overall 6.75 ERA suggests that his first taste of the big leagues has been more struggle than success. He's expected to next take the mound Sunday at home in a tough matchup versus Toronto.
Sep 15 2021Jax (3-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against Cleveland. He also had three strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax kept Cleveland off the board until the fourth inning when Bobby Bradley broke a scoreless deadlock on a run-scoring double. Cleveland tacked on four more runs in the following frame, the big blast coming on Oscar Mercado's three-run homer. Jax has been throttled to the tune of a 9.36 ERA over his last five starts, yielding eight home runs in that stretch.
Sep 11 2021Jax allowed four unearned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four across six innings in the loss to the Royals on Friday. He did not factor in the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax surrendered a three-run home run to Andrew Benintendi in the first inning. He gave up a fourth run in the fourth frame on a Michael Taylor double. The 26-year-old has allowed 23 earned runs in his last four outings. On the season, he has a 6.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 51 strikeouts in 64.1 innings.
Sep 5 2021Jax allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in Sunday's win over the Rays. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax kept the Rays off the board for two innings before coughing up a two-run blast to Brandon Lowe in the third. He allowed another run in the fifth and was charged with a fourth and final run after Austin Meadows went deep off Caleb Thielbar. Jax has been hammered for 19 runs over 14.1 innings (11.93 ERA) over his last three outings. He's lined up to face Kansas City at home next week.
Aug 30 2021Jax (3-3) allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings Sunday in a 6-2 loss to the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax had a clean opening inning but was chased for six runs over the next three frames. Luis Urias took him deep in the second for a solo homer. A double and a walk would put two runners on in the third before Rowdy Tellez cleared the bases with a three-run blast and then Kolten Wong would drive in two more in the fourth with a double. The 26-year-old has given up 15 runs over his last two outings, which has inflated his ERA to a 6.71 to go along with a 1.40 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 53.2 innings. Jax lines up for a tough matchup against the Rays his next time out.
Aug 24 2021Jax (3-2) allowed nine earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax got through the first two innings of his start without allowing a run. However, he served up a home run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings, which accounted for six of his earned runs. The Red Sox had little trouble sizing up his offerings, as they also connected for three doubles against Jax. Prior to this outing, he had turned in two consecutive quality starts while posting a 13:3 K:BB, so he could have a chance to bounce back in his next turn through the rotation.
Aug 21 2021Jax and the Twins won't play Sunday against the Yankees after the game was postponed due to inclement weather. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Hurricane Henri is forecasted to hit the East Coast on Sunday, so the teams will be unable to play their series finale. The Twins haven't revealed their revised rotation plans, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Jax start on the road against the Red Sox on Tuesday.
Aug 16 2021Jax allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings in Monday's win over Cleveland. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax coughed up a two-run homer to Bradley Zimmer in the second inning and was later charged with an unearned run in the fifth and sixth frames. It was his fifth straight outing giving up three or fewer earned runs, lowering his ERA to 5.11 through 10 career appearances. Jax is also sporting a 21:7 K:BB over those last five starts. The right-handed rookie is projected to face the Yankees on the road this weekend.
Aug 11 2021Jax (3-1) earned the win over the White Sox on Tuesday by completing six innings, during which he allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 10. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander looked strong in handling a talented White Sox lineup, inducing 14 swinging strikes and registering a career-best 10 punchouts. He allowed two homers and three runs in the third inning but otherwise kept Chicago off the scoreboard. Jax's ERA still sits at an untidy 5.45, but he has allowed only six earned runs while posting an 18:5 K:BB over 20.1 innings covering his past four starts. He's tentatively lined up to take on Cleveland at home early next week.
Aug 5 2021Jax (2-1) won Thursday's 5-3 game against Houston, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in 5.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax stymied a potent Astros lineup through five innings but ran into trouble in the sixth by permitting a Jason Castro home run and a double while inducing only one out before being removed. The rookie right-hander has now allowed a single run in three consecutive appearances, lowering his ERA from 8.66 to 5.63, though he sports a low 6.2 K/9.
Aug 4 2021Jax will make his second turn through the Twins' rotation Thursday in Houston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After Jose Berrios was traded to the Blue Jays ahead of last week's deadline, Jax was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and made his third start of the season July 30 in St. Louis. The outing was one of the best of Jax's young big-league career, as he limited the Cardinals to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision. With Berrios and J.A. Happ now in new locales and few attractive alternatives on hand at Triple-A or in the bullpen, Jax will likely get a long look in the big-league rotation over the final two months of the season.
Jul 30 2021Jax did not factor in the decision against St. Louis on Friday. He hurled five innings, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander was called up early Friday and given the start in place of the recently-traded Jose Berrios. Jax navigated his way through five frames, giving up only one run and no extra-base hits, but settled for a no-decision as the Twins' offense gave him just one run of support. The rookie by no means overpowered the Cardinals -- he induced a mere four swinging strikes -- yet he made a good impression in his bid to claim Berrios' spot in the rotation. Jax still holds an unimpressive 6.41 ERA on the campaign, but he has allowed just two runs over his past nine innings of work.
Jul 20 2021The Twins optioned Jax to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax was called up from Triple-A to start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the White Sox and acquitted himself well in the 3-2 victory. He didn't factor into the decision, but Jax limited the White Sox to one run on one hit and one walk while striking out six over four innings before departing when he developed a blister. The finger abrasion shouldn't cost him any time, but he won't stick around in Minnesota since the Twins won't need a sixth starter for the foreseeable future.
Jul 19 2021Jax did not factor into the decision during Monday's win over the White Sox. He allowed one run on one hit and a walk while striking out six across four innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was a short performance but a strong one for the right-hander, who was recalled ahead of Monday's start. It was later revealed that he was removed due to a blister, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. His only damage of the day came from a solo homer by Tim Anderson in the third inning. Even despite Monday's success, Jax holds an unfavorable 7.48 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 21.2 innings in the majors and is likely to get sent back down after his outing.
Jul 18 2021The Twins will call up Jax from Triple-A St. Paul to start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the White Sox, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Due to the twin bill, the Twins will temporarily have a need for a sixth starter, so Jax will return from the minors to fill the void. Jax previously made five appearances (one start) for Minnesota earlier this season, posting an 8.66 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 17.2 innings.
Jul 7 2021Jax was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax made his first career start against the Royals on Saturday and allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings to take the loss. While the right-hander could be an option to return to the Twins as a starter or reliever at some point, he'll head to the minors ahead of the All-Star break after right-hander Michael Pineda (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the White Sox.
Jul 4 2021Jax (1-1) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Royals after allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks across five innings, striking out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax made the first start of his big-league career but was unable to slow down Kansas City and was lit up. The right-hander at least managed to complete five frames, but other than that, there are very few positives to take out from this outing. He may return to a bullpen role going forward, as he's made all but one of his five big-league appearances this season as a reliever.
Jul 2 2021Jax will start Saturday's game against the Royals, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax earned his first win in his last appearance, and he'll make his first career start in Saturday's contest. The right-hander has lasted at least 3.1 innings in each of his last three outings, so he could be able to handle a fairly significant workload against Kansas City if he can pitch effectively. Jax has posted a 7.82 ERA in 12.2 innings across his first four major-league appearances in 2021.
Jun 25 2021Jax (1-0) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings, earning the win Friday versus Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax followed Daniel Coulombe in Minnesota's bullpen game. The 26-year-old Jax was effective in his fourth appearance of the year despite yielding three runs. The right-hander has a 7.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB across 12.2 innings this year. He'll likely continue to fill a bulk relief role while on the major-league roster, although he could also fill in as a spot starter.
Jun 24 2021Jax was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax spent just over a week with Triple-A St. Paul, but he didn't appear in any games during his most recent stint in the minors. He'll now return to the major-league roster after right-hander Randy Dobnak (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Jax's first three big-league appearances have been out of the bullpen, but he could be a candidate to start in Dobnak's absence.
Jun 16 2021Jax was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jax spent a week and a half in the major-league bullpen as a long reliever, and he posted an 8.64 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 8.1 innings across three relief appearances. He'll now return to the minors after Caleb Thielbar (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.
Jun 5 2021Jax will be added to the Twins' roster ahead of Saturday's game against the Royals, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The righty has impressed in Triple-A this season, pitching 27 innings across five starts with a 3.33 ERA, 29 strikeouts and no home runs allowed. Jax will have the opportunity to carve out a considerable role for himself in a struggling Twins pitching staff.