Jax threw a scoreless inning with a walk and strikeout to record the save in Thursday's Opening Day win at Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

With Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the injured list and expected to miss several weeks, it was Jax who got the call in the 9th inning to protect a three-run lead. Brock Stewart was used in the eighth inning, so it looks like Jax will be the primary closer with Duran out. However, the Twins could mix and match the two in save situations.

Jax and Brock Stewart are likely to fill in at closer for the Twins while Jhoan Duran (oblique) is sidelined, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jax has turned into a weapon out of the Twins' bullpen over the last two seasons, posting a 3.60 ERA and 146:39 K:BB over 137.2 innings, collecting five saves along the way. He's also been dominant this spring, yielding just two hits and no runs with a 10:0 K:BB over six frames. Both Jax and Stewart are worthy short-term fantasy darts, though it's possible manager Rocco Baldelli won't settle on one guy.

Jax has thrown six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks this spring.

EDGE Analysis

He's in midseason form and ready to return as the primary setup man to closer Jhoan Duran. Jax's 3.3 barrel percentage allowed was in the 97th percentile last season, while his hard-hit percentage, average exit velocity and 56.8 percent ground ball rate were all well above-average. He should be a significant source of holds (23 last season) and an occasional save again this year.

Jax picked up a save against the Athletics on Wednesday by striking out the only batter he faced.

EDGE Analysis

Jhoan Duran worked the seventh inning Wednesday, giving Dallas Keuchel and Jax an opportunity to cover the final two frames. Keuchel pitched a scoreless eighth but put two runners on base in the ninth to bring the winning run to the plate, prompting Jax's entrance. Jax answered the call, striking out rookie phenom Zack Gelof to end the threat and notch his fourth save of the season. Two of those saves have come over his past three outings, but Duran's closer role is secure, so Jax should work primarily as a high-leverage setup option in the playoffs.

Jax picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Jax issued a leadoff walk to Nick Martini after entering the game with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, but the right-handed reliever was able to retire the next three batters to record his third save of the season and his first since Aug. 24. Jax has allowed just one hit over his last three appearances and now carries a 3.12 ERA in September after he scuffled to a 9.00 ERA in August. Jhoan Duran remains the clear closer, but he pitched the eighth inning Wednesday before Minnesota's late comeback since he recently hasn't seen much work.

Jax earned a save over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Twins closer Jhoan Duran threw 33 pitches over 1.2 innings in a loss Wednesday, so Jax was summoned Thursday with the team up by two heading into the ninth inning. Jax issued a one-out walk but erased it by inducing a game-ending double-play groundout. The right-hander notched his second save of the campaign, but his other came over two months ago, and he's not expected to see many more opportunities as long as Duran is healthy.

Jax picked up the save Wednesday against the Brewers, striking out one over one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Jax entered the game in the ninth inning and went 1-2-3 through the Brewers' lineup to nail down his first save of the season. The right-hander, who'd blown all four of his save opportunities this season coming in, threw a sweeper on seven of his 11 pitches to end the game. He has not allowed a run since May 19 against the Angels, registering 12 strikeouts with no walks over that stretch (9.2 innings).

Jax (3-6) earned the win in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Guardians. He didn't allow a hit or walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Jax struggled with an 8.18 ERA and three blown saves between April 21 to May 19. He's since thrown five scoreless innings in his last five appearances with an 8:0 K:BB ratio, so it looks like he's back to being a reliable setup man.

Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out two in Friday's 8-6 victory over the Royals. He earned his fifth hold.

EDGE Analysis

Jax has a 3.18 ERA and 14:2 K:BB ratio in 11.1 innings as he picked up where he left off last season as a high-impact reliever. He's working as a key setup man for the Twins, but could get a save chance the next day or two with Jhoan Duran away from the team for a personal issue.

Jax threw a scoreless eighth inning with a walk in Thursday's win over against Kansas City to earn his first hold of the season.

EDGE Analysis

It was notable that Jax was used in the eighth inning ahead of Jhoan Duran in the ninth with Pablo Lopez working the seventh inning. It may just be the first game, but Jax looked ahead of Lopez in the order of the bullpen. Jax had a breakout season after moving to the bullpen last season and became a key setup man for the Twins. He improved both his strikeout (26.9 percent) and walk (6.9 percent) rates with a 78:20 K:BB ratio over 72.1 innings. It looks like he could be the main set-up man and rack up the holds again and possibly be in the mix for saves if manager Rocco Baldelli sticks to his previous matchup-based bullpen use.