Minnesota Twins reliever Griffin Jax blew a save opportunity in Sunday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old punched out three batters but allowed three hits and two earned in the outing. Jax entered the contest with a 7-5 lead, letting up an Isaac Paredes single and Yordan Alvarez two-run shot to open the inning. Christian Walker then doubled to center, but Jax was able to retire the next three batters via the K. It's an outing to forget for the righty, who has afforded his opponents at least one hit in each appearance thus far. He's in no danger of losing his role as the primary setup man and has historically been a better reliever. Still, 2025 has started shaky, as he holds an inflated 10.13 ERA.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Griffin Jax will remain in the team's bullpen for the upcoming 2025 season, according to general manager Jeremy Zoll. Fourteen of Jax's 18 outings in his rookie season for the Twins in 2021 came in a starting role, but he has not started a game in the big leagues since. Last year in a career-high 72 appearances out of the bullpen, he was excellent, posting a career-best 2.03 ERA (1.94 FIP), a 0.87 WHIP, a career-high 10 saves, a career-high 95 strikeouts and a career-low 15 walks in 71 innings pitched. Although the 30-year-old could again see more save chances in 2025, he'll most likely be more of an asset for fantasy managers in saves leagues as Minnesota's primary eighth-inning setup man. In addition to his 10 saves in 2024, Jax also recorded 24 holds in his breakout season as a high-leverage bullpen arm.
Twins Considering Moving Griffin Jax Into Starting Rotation
Minnesota Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler said that the team is leaving open the possibility of moving right-handed reliever Griffin Jax into the starting rotation next season. The Twins already have a pretty deep rotation, but Jax could join that list next year. The 29-year-old former third-round pick in 2016 out of Air Force was outstanding in his 72 appearances out of the Twins' bullpen in 2024 in his fourth year in the big leagues. Jax had a career-best 2.03 ERA (1.94 FIP), a career-high 10 saves, a 0.87 WHIP, a career-high 95 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 71 innings pitched. He's been a workhorse for Minnesota the last three years, combining for a 3.06 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 15 saves and a 241:54 K:BB in 208 2/3 frames. Jax was an excellent source of holds and ratios as a reliever, and while he'd have plenty of value as a starter, too, his innings would also certainly be capped.
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax picked up his eighth save of the season in Monday's 3-0 win over the Cubs. Jax came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a ground-out, allowed a single, and got the final two outs on a strikeout and another ground-out. Jhoan Duran pitched the eighth inning in this one, and while he is considered the fantasy arm to roster, he has only seen four more save opportunities this season than Jax. Jax has pitched well, converting eight of 12 save opportunities with 17 holds to go with a 2.01 ERA, an 11.86 K/9 rate, and a 2.19 BB/9 rate. He is currently rostered in 45% of leagues, so he may still be out there in deeper roto leagues.
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax shut the door on the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, helping secure a 6-3 victory. Jax came in with the bases loaded and one out with a four-run lead and managed to escape with only one runner crossing home (on an error), picking up his fourth save in the process. Jax has filled in admirably as the impromptu closer after Jhoan Duran went down before the season started, posting a 2.53 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 15 batters in 10 IP. He is also 4-for-5 in save chances. Unfortunately for Jax and his fantasy managers, Duran could be back at any point as he is currently on a rehab assignment. Once he is back, Jax will likely shift back to a set-up role.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Griffin Jax struck out two over a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Griffin entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The 29-year-old needed just 12 pitches to retire the side for his second save of the year. Jax owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over nine innings in 2024. Jhoan Duran (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment soon and will take back Minnesota's closer role once activated from the injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to hold onto Jax for now, as he is a favorite for save chances in the Twins bullpen while Duran is sidelined.
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax secured an Opening Day save in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the division-rival Kansas City Royals, firing a hitless ninth inning to close out the win. Filling in for the injured Jhoan Duran (oblique), Jax did make things somewhat interesting by walking Bobby Witt Jr. before facing the heart of KC's order, but he retired the next three hitters. Duran will be on the shelf for at least the first two weeks of the campaign, so Jax should stay atop the depth chart until at least mid-April. The 29-year-old right-hander was excellent as a setup man for the Twins in 2023, registering a 3.86 ERA (2.86 xERA), 1.17 WHIP, and 68:19 K:BB across 65 1/3 frames a season ago. Currently rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues, Jax should not be floating around any fantasy waiver wires as the clear-cut favorite for saves out of Minnesota's bullpen in the interim.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Griffin Jax was used in the ninth inning of the 7-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. He walked and struck out one without allowing a hit or a run to earn his second save of the season. Over 53 1/3 innings, Jax owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 23.1% strikeout rate with 19 holds. The 28-year-old doesn't have much value in standard leagues, with Jhoan Duran closing the majority of games, but fantasy managers should be happy with his production in hold formats.
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax blew his sixth save of the season in Monday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Mariners. Jax entered the game to pitch the top of the ninth up by one. He got the first two outs on a groundout and strikeout but then allowed a single and a go-ahead two-run home run before getting the final out on a groundout. Teammate Jhoan Duran, who serves as the team's closer, had pitched the two previous days, so he was likely unavailable to close this one out. Jax has pitched well overall this season with a 3.19 ERA and 14 holds in 42 1/3 innings pitched. However, his fantasy value is limited given Duran's secure hold on the team's closer's role.
Minnesota Twins reliever Griffin Jax closed out Wednesday's 4-2 win against the Milwaukee Brewers, grabbing his first save of the season. After Jhoan Duran pitched the eighth, the club called on the 28-year-old for the ninth, and he threw a perfect frame while striking out one. Jax is now sporting a 3.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 25.8% strikeout rate with seven holds across 29 innings. Duran is still the main closer in Minnesota, but the right-hander may be due for a few more saves this season as he continues to be used in high-leverage situations.
Griffin Jax
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Twins
