Rays’ Griffin Jax Exits After 104-Mph Line Drive

Rays starter Griffin Jax left Saturday’s game against the Phillies after Trea Turner’s 104-mph line drive struck him in the lower back in the third inning in Philadelphia. With a runner on second and two outs, the ball ricocheted to shortstop Taylor Walls, who threw out Turner to end the inning. Jax grabbed his lower back, hunched over in pain and walked off the mound. He had struck out one and allowed two hits over three innings with the Rays leading 3-0. Steven Matz took over in the fourth. Jax was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion. Manager Kevin Cash said during a dugout interview that the ball hit Jax in the spine and added, “It’s going to hurt a little bit.” Jax finished the season 8-10 with a 3.53 ERA in 23 starts and 11 relief appearances. No factual disputes appear in the coverage. His availability for the ALDS opener on Oct. 3 remains to be monitored.