Full Breakdown
Griffin Jax Sent to 15-Day Injured List with Right Elbow Discomfort
8/10/2026, 1:04:42 PM
Core Event
The Tampa Bay Rays placed right-hander Griffin Jax on the 15-day injured list on August 2, 2026. The move followed Jax being scratched from his scheduled start against the Seattle Mariners, prompting a bullpen game in which reliever Casey Legumina started the Rays’ 3-2 win. Michael Grove was recalled from Triple-A Durham to fill Jax’s roster spot.
Background: Rotation Struggles
The Rays’ starting rotation has been hit by multiple injuries since Opening Day, a stark contrast to the injury-free rotation of the 2025 season. Prior to Jax’s IL placement, the club lost Ryan Pepiot before the campaign began and saw replacement Joe Boyle miss time after three starts. Shane McClanahan is also on the injured list with a back issue, though it is not expected to be serious.
Performance Data
- 2026 season (through early August): 29 appearances, 18 starts, 6-9 record, 3.63 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 30 walks.
- As a starter: 3.16 ERA over 82.2 innings, 90 strikeouts, slash line .234/.288/.380, opponents’ tOPS+ 90 and sOPS+ 85.
- Career-high 91.2 innings pitched after conversion from bullpen to starter earlier in the season.
Official Statements & Responses
Rays manager Kevin Cash said initial tests suggested the problem was not ligament-related and that Jax was already improving. He added that Jax would see a doctor on Monday and the team expected a clearer diagnosis by mid-week.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He's going to go see a doctor [Monday] and we'll probably know Wednesday or Thursday on something,” — Kevin Cash, rays manager
The loss of Jax deepens Tampa Bay’s rotation concerns as the club looks to trade-deadline addition Freddy Peralta and other arms like Ian Seymour to shoulder the workload.
