Blue Jays moving struggling Hoffman out of closer’s role

Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) reacts after giving up a solo homer to the Athletics during a Major League Baseball game in Toronto on March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

After struggling to consistently close out games this season, Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman had his closer tag removed Friday as the team opted for “shared responsibility” of ninth-inning duties on a short-term basis.

Hoffman, who blew a save opportunity in a Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last fall, was 1-2 with three blown saves and a 7.59 earned-run average over 12 appearances this season.

He struggled in his last appearance Tuesday at Anaheim after entering in the ninth inning with a three-run lead.

Hoffman gave up two one-out singles and hit two batters before Louis Varland came on with the bases loaded to get a game-ending double play to preserve Toronto’s 4-2 victory.

“We feel it’s best for him and us at this point,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said of the change in a pre-game media availability.

Varland and Tyler Rogers will likely get more chances to close games for the Blue Jays, who took a 10-14 record into Friday night’s home game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Hoffman’s strikeout rate has been impressive (24 K in 10 2/3 innings), but his penchant for putting runners on base and giving up the long ball has been costly.

Manager John Schneider said he talked to the 33-year-old right-hander earlier in the day.

“He was on board,” Schneider said. “He gets it. He just wants to win. I still trust him. It’s been a weird year for him for sure.”

Hoffman, who signed a three-year, US$33-million contract with the Blue Jays in January 2025, was 9-7 with 33 saves and a 4.37 ERA over 71 appearances last season.

He shone for most of the playoffs -- holding opponents to a .146 batting average -- but gave up a ninth-inning homer to Miguel Rojas in the deciding game of the Fall Classic.

The Blue Jays went on to drop a 5-4 decision to the Dodgers in 11 innings.

Hoffman has three saves so far this season.

“I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that he’s striking out half the hitters he’s facing,” Schneider said. “I think there’s a component to it where you want to just stop some momentum. We’re still going to use him in big spots.

“It’s not like, ‘Hey, I’m not going to pitch you unless we’re up or down by five or six.’ It’s just let’s take the ninth inning off of it and share that for a little bit and see how that goes.”

Varland and Rogers have been primarily used in high-leverage roles. Relievers like Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty could also pitch late in games if needed.

Yimi Garcia, who’s still a few weeks away from returning after undergoing elbow surgery last year, could also eventually be a ninth-inning option.

Schneider said he’d like to see Hoffman get ahead in counts more consistently while “staying on the attack.”

“For me, it comes down to just executing,” he said. ‘It comes down to (what) pitch are you throwing when and where are you throwing it? I don’t think it’s mental for him. He’s been in big spots.

“It doesn’t look to be mechanical, and in talking to him, it’s not physical. So I think it’s just executing better.”

Entering play Friday, Varland was 1-1 with one save and a 0.00 ERA, while Rogers was 1-1 with a 0.73 ERA. Both pitchers have made 12 appearances.

The Blue Jays also made a minor trade before the series opener against the Guardians, acquiring catcher Willie MacIver from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.

MacIver was optioned to triple-A Buffalo. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Tyler Fitzgerald was designated for assignment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press