Twins' Griffin Jax: Move to rotation not ruled out
Rotowire
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.
Jax yielded an unearned run and struck out one batter in one inning Friday. He earned a save in the extra-innings win over Boston.
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.
Jax 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.
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.
