The Rays activate RHP Griffin Jax Wednesday from the injured list as Tampa Bay tries to protect the club’s AL East lead from the Yankees.
The Tampa Bay Rays received a timely rotation boost Wednesday, reinstating right-hander Griffin Jax from the 15-day injured list as they try to protect their lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.
Right elbow discomfort sidelined Jax, but he will return to start Wednesday night’s series finale against the New York Mets at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay entered the day 83-55 with a 4 1/2-game division lead over New York.
The Rays Communications team announced Jax’s return on its official X, formerly Twitter, account on Wednesday, adding that right-hander Alex Cook was optioned to Triple-A Durham as the corresponding roster move.
“The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated RHP Griffin Jax (right elbow discomfort) from the 15-day IL and optioned RHP Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham.
Jax will start tonight against the New York Mets.”
Jax returns after landing on the injured list on August 9, retroactive to August 6, following his scratch from a scheduled start vs. the Seattle Mariners.
The 31-year-old heads into Wednesday’s start with a 6-9 record, 3.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts across 91 2/3 innings. He has made 18 starts and 11 relief appearances after the club stretched him from a late-inning role into the rotation.
Jax, the first Air Force Academy graduate to play in an MLB game, also found a strong rhythm before the injury. Across his final three starts before hitting the IL, he posted a 1.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 23 strikeouts against four walks over 16 2/3 innings.
His return comes as the Rays continue to navigate other pitching absences, including Ryan Pepiot, who will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
The team will rely on Jax to provide stability in the final weeks as the Rays try to hold on to their division lead.
With the Yankees still 4 1/2 games behind, Jax returns to the rotation as Tampa Bay’s strong 2026 season nears its end with the club atop the AL East.
The Tampa Bay Rays received a timely rotation boost Wednesday, reinstating right-hander Griffin Jax from the 15-day injured list as they try to protect their lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. Right elbow discomfort sidelined Jax, but he will return to start Wednesday night’s series finale against the New York Mets at Tropicana Field.