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Tampa Bay Rays May Have Added To Rotation By Dipping Into Bullpen
TL;DR
Griffin Jax of the Tampa Bay Rays may transition back to starting pitcher after a stint in the bullpen. He previously struggled as a starter but has found success in relief roles.
Key points
- Griffin Jax may return to starting pitcher for the Rays
- Jax was drafted by the Twins and started his career there
- He struggled as a starter with a 6.10 ERA
- Jax found success as a bullpen setup man in 2022
- The Rays value player versatility in their roster
Griffin JaxTampa Bay RaysMinnesota Twins
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - Griffin Jax of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during a game at Tropicana Field on April 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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Leave it to the Rays Way. Versatility has long been preferred among position players and pitchers. The organization acquires players who may be asked, often sooner than later, to embrace a new role. For righthanded pitcher Griffin Jax, his immediate future could have him returning to a role he was once very familiar with.
Jax started the Raysâ 4-2 win Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field against the Twins, the team that drafted him a decade ago out of the Air Force Academy. He went through Minnesotaâs system as a starting pitcher. That changed, at least temporarily, when he was summoned to the parent club in June 2021. Then-manager Rocco Baldelli used him in a long relief role, though injuries prompted Jax to join the rotation and make 14 starts through the end of the season. The results were not good as he went 3-5 with a 6.10 ERA and allowed 18 homers in 69 1/3 innings. He went to the bullpen in 2022 and became an effective setup man.
In his role Sunday as the Raysâ opener, something he did twice in 2025 after being acquired for Taj Bradley at the trade deadline, Jax cruised through 2 1/3 innings allowing only two baserunners, one of which was erased by a double-play grounder. His 33 pitches were the most in an outing since he threw as many in a pair of 2023 relief assignments with the Twins.
Griffin Jax may have something to build on
Q&A
What role did Griffin Jax play before joining the Tampa Bay Rays?
Griffin Jax was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and initially played as a starting pitcher before moving to the bullpen.
How did Griffin Jax perform during his previous starting role?
In his previous starting role, Jax had a record of 3-5 with a 6.10 ERA and allowed 18 home runs in 69 1/3 innings.
What is the Rays' approach to player versatility?
The Rays prioritize versatility among players, often asking them to adapt to new roles as needed.
What was Griffin Jax's performance in the bullpen?
After transitioning to the bullpen in 2022, Griffin Jax became an effective setup man for the Rays.
