Rays' Jax leaves after taking line drive off lower back

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Sport / Getty

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays starter Griffin Jax took a line drive from Philadelphia's Trea Turner off his lower back and left the game after three innings on Saturday night.

The Phillies had a runner on second and two outs when Turner drilled a 104-mph line drive off Jax. The ball ricocheted to shortstop Taylor Walls, who threw out Turner for the third out of the inning.

Jax grabbed at his lower back then hunched over in pain before he walked off the mound. He did not return in the fourth inning with the AL East champion Rays leading 3-0.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a dugout interview that the ball hit Jax in the spine.

“It’s going to hurt a little bit,” Cash said.

Jax struck out one, allowed two hits and will finish the season 8-10 with a 3.53 ERA.

Steven Matz pitched the fourth inning.

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