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Jax takes 104 mph line drive off lower back, exits after 3 innings

During Saturday's regular-season finale, Tampa Bay pitcher Griffin Jax was forced to leave the contest after getting struck in the lower back by a hard hit off the bat of Trea Turner in the third inning. The ball struck the right-hander at 104 miles per hour, resulting in a lower back bruise and forcing a relief appearance by Steven Matz for the remainder of the game.

Despite the early exit, Jax had tossed three scoreless frames while allowing only two hits, marking his second such in-game injury occurrence of the season following a similar comebacker he absorbed back in May. Team management faces upcoming roster choices for the postseason rotation among several healthy arms including Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, Ian Seymour, and Jax.

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