Taken #6 overall by the Twins in 2015, he just couldn't get past Double-A ball, flunking out as a starter and developing into a middling relief pitcher. After not playing in 2020, like most minor leaguers, he missed another year in 2021 due to health concerns. But he resuscitated his career with the independent Joliet Slammers in 2022, posting a 1.64 mark in 24 relief appearances, and though he was mediocre for them in 2023—his ERA was 4.26—the Mets still took a chance on the former first rounder.

He was initially sent to their Double-A club, but a couple days later was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse. And he struggled to the tune of a 6.00 ERA in six appearances. It still wasn't looking good for Jay.

But the Mets brought him back for 2024. Scrambling for answers to their early-season pitching woes, he was promoted April 10 and on April 11, he made his debut—at age 29, just a week or so from his 30th birthday, nine years after being drafted.

His initial appearance was a rough one, as he allowed five hits in two innings, but he redeemed himself his next time out, tossing two scoreless innings. Alas, that wasn't enough to convince the Mets to keep him around, so they sent him back to Triple-A. He returned in late June, made one more appearance in early July, struggled, and was traded to Milwaukee by the end of the month.

He wasn't long for the Mets, but the Mets made this 30-year-old rookie's major league dream come true.