He’s already worn his country’s uniform, now Griffin Jax will do so on a baseball field.

The Tampa Bay Rays pitcher and the first service academy graduate to reach the major leagues will compete for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Jax’s addition to the team was announced Wednesday on MLB.com.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would say yes to every day,” Jax told The Gazette following the announcement. “It’s an amazing chance to represent my country. It helps me remember where I come from and give honor to those who are fighting for us every day.”

Jax, a Cherry Creek High School product, is a 2017 Air Force graduate who then served two years on active duty. He remains a captain in the Air Force reserves.

The 31-year-old right-hander is one of 10 pitchers now on Team USA’s roster. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who pitched (and caught) for Air Force as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to LSU and is now starring for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is also part of the team.

The U.S. roster includes stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper and Bobby Witt Jr.

Rosters will be set in early February and the tournament will be held from March 5-17. Japan, winning in 2023, is the defending champion in the event that has been held five times since 2006.

Jax has been one of baseball’s best and most durable relievers in recent years. His 281 appearances since 2022 are the second most in baseball and he holds a 3.34 ERA in that span. He was traded from Minnesota, the franchise that drafted him in 2016, to Tampa Bay in a midseason deal in 2025.