Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Sharp while securing 10th save
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Hoffman earned the save Tuesday against the Padres after throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.
Hoffman was sharp, making quick work of the heart of San Diego's batting order while hurling eight of his nine pitches for strikes. Tuesday marked a second consecutive scoreless outing for the hard-throwing right-hander, who had yielded 11 runs over his previous three innings of work. The Blue Jays have shown trust in Hoffman as their closer after signing him to a three-year contract this past offseason, and the 32-year-old righty carries a 1.13 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities despite a shaky 5.48 ERA across 21.1 innings in 2025.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Nabs win in ninth Saturday
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Hoffman (4-2) walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to pick up the win in a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.
With the score tied 1-1, Toronto's closer was brought in to work the top of the ninth and saw a leadoff walk erased on a double play started by Nathan Lukes, who threw out Gleyber Torres trying to tag up and advance to second base on a fly ball deep into the left-field corner. Hoffman then collected the win on Ernie Clement's walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. It was a reassuring effort from Hoffman after he got tagged for five runs in one-third of an inning during his previous appearance, but he's having an awful May overall with a 19.80 ERA in five innings while going just 3-for-5 in save chances.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Allows five runs in loss
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Hoffman (3-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss Tuesday against the Rays after allowing five runs on four hits and a walk while picking up a strikeout as the only out he recorded.
Hoffman entered to begin the ninth protecting a one-run lead and got off on the right foot with a strikeout, but everything went downhill from there. He proceeded to give up three singles and a walk before Junior Caminero launched a grand slam to put the Rays up 11-7. Hoffman's now allowed 11 runs in his last five appearances after allowing just two runs in 16.1 innings prior to his recent struggles. He's up to a 6.05 ERA but still sports an excellent 31:4 K:BB in 19.1 innings.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Strikes out side for save
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Hoffman struck out three in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.
Hoffman picked up his second save in as many days with this effort. He needed 17 pitches (11 strikes) to get the job done, but it was another encouraging outing after his struggles earlier in the week versus the Angels that saw him surrender six runs in two appearances. The closer is up to nine saves in 10 chances while pitching to a 3.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB across 19 innings this season. Since he's pitched four of the last five days, Hoffman may not be available for any potential save chances in Sunday's getaway day game.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Has second straight poor outing
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Hoffman (3-1) took the loss and blew a save against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.
Hoffman had the opportunity to notch his eighth save in eight chances when he entered with a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but he instead walked away with his first blown save of the campaign. The right-handed closer allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, and after striking out Taylor Ward, he served up a bases-clearing, walk-off double to Jorge Soler. It was the second straight blow-up for Hoffman against the Angels -- on Tuesday, he also surrendered three runs over one-third of an inning in a non-save situation. Prior to the pair of ugly outings, Hoffman had allowed just two runs over 16.1 frames to begin the season.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Tallies seventh save
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Hoffman logged a save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hoffman was brought in for the ninth inning to preserve a two-run lead, but it wasn't an easy going for the 32-year-old right-hander. He had runners on second and third after yielding a walk and a double, but Hoffman was able to escape unscathed after getting Gabriel Arias to ground out to third base. Hoffman needed 26 pitches (16 strikes) to secure his seventh save of the season, which may impact his availability for Saturday's contest.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Secures fourth save
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Hoffman gave up one run on one hit while striking out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 3-1 win over Atlanta.
The Toronto closer served up a solo shot to Drake Baldwin to ruin a combined shutout bid, but otherwise Hoffman was in control once again. The right-hander is 4-for-4 in save chances to begin his first season as the unquestioned top option in a big-league bullpen, posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB through 10.1 innings.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Nabs win in extras
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Hoffman (2-0) picked up the win in Sunday's extra-inning victory over the Orioles, allowing one hit over two scoreless innings and striking out four.
The Toronto closer entered a 6-6 tie in the ninth inning, and stuck around for the 10th after the Blue Jays pushed across a run in the top of the final frame. Hoffman tossed 24 pitches (18 strikes) in the appearance, which could make him unavailable Monday should the team have a late lead to protect against Atlanta. Through his first 9.1 innings with the Jays, Hoffman has a 0.96 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and dominant 13:1 K:BB while converting all three of his save chances.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Earns third save Wednesday
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Hoffman picked up his third save of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Nationals. He gave up one run on three hits while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.
Hoffman needed only eight pitches to notch his second save of the year Tuesday, but he faced tougher resistance in Wednesday's bout. He quickly registered the first two outs of the ninth frame, but he proceeded to allow three straight hits, including an RBI double to Nathaniel Lowe, before a caught stealing ended the contest. Hoffman has secured a save in all three chances he's had and has tossed just 18 pitches across his last two outings.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Secures second save
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Hoffman picked up his second save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Hoffman needed just eight pitches to set the Nationals down in order. He's had no trouble yet in three appearances early on, allowing just two hits with a 4:0 K:BB.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Earns first save
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Hoffman earned the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Orioles, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Hoffman retired all three batters he faced, capping off a 10-pitch battle with Gary Sanchez to record a game-ending strikeout. The 32-year-old excelled in a shared closer role for Philadelphia last season, converting 10 of 13 save chances while posting a 2.17 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 89 strikeouts. Now in Toronto, he has the opportunity to thrive as the full-time closer for another playoff contender.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Confirms failed physicals
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Hoffman on Wednesday confirmed that Baltimore and Atlanta backed away from pursuing him over concerns about his physical, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Speaking to reporters following his signing with the Blue Jays, Hoffman said he was surprised his physicals raised red flags about his right shoulder, adding that he feels healthy and the shoulder is a "non-issue." Based on the size of his contract, Hoffman should head into spring training as the favorite to be Toronto's closer after posting a 2.28 ERA and 158:35 K:BB over 118.2 regular-season innings across the last two seasons. If healthy, the righty has elite potential as a fantasy closer.
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Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Physical concerns nixed two deals
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Atlanta had a contract in place with Hoffman that fell apart after he failed a physical, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Robert Murray of FanSided.com also reported previously that the Orioles had a three-year, $40 million deal in place with Hoffman that was nixed due to concerns over his right shoulder. It's not clear whether it was the shoulder which caused Hoffman's potential contract with Atlanta to fall apart, but it's a safe assumption. The righty has had two shoulder-related injured list stints during his career but has not experienced any known shoulder problems since 2021. Hoffman ultimately reached a three-year, $33 million deal with the Blue Jays which could get up to $39 million through incentives. He's slated to serve as Toronto's closer, but with Hoffman having a health red flag, fantasy managers might want to consider Yimi Garcia and/or Chad Green as a handcuff.
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Jeff Hoffman: Being considered by some as starter
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Hoffman is being pursued by some teams in free agency as a starting pitcher, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Hoffman, who turns 32 in January, broke out as a full-time reliever the last two seasons with the Phillies, posting a 2.28 ERA and 158:35 K:BB over 118.2 innings. He does have plenty of past experience as a starter and throws four pitches, so some clubs are intrigued by the possibility of giving him another shot to start. It's not clear what Hoffman's preference is -- or if he has one -- but he should be able to land a nice multi-year contract either way.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Misses workout with stiff neck
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Hoffman didn't pitch in a simulated game Wednesday due to a stiff neck, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Thomson said holding Hoffman back was precautionary, adding that he expects the reliever to be "fine" for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. Hoffman will be a high-leverage reliever for the Phillies this postseason following a regular season which saw him collect a 2.17 ERA and 89:16 K:BB over 66.1 innings.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Secures 10th save
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Hoffman struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta.
Both Hoffman and Carlos Estevez had gone two days without pitching, so it's unclear why Hoffman got the save chance in this outing. This was his fourth scoreless outing in a row, and he's allowed three runs over 9.1 innings across his last 11 appearances since a four-run meltdown at Seattle on Aug. 3. Hoffman hadn't logged a save since July 10, and it's unclear if this signals a changing in the bullpen hierarchy or not, though manager Rob Thomson is known to prefer a committee for closing duties. For the year, Hoffman has a 1.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB through 56.1 innings while adding 10 saves and 17 holds.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Earns another hold
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Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, striking out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
The Phillies have taken a fluid approach to the ninth inning this season, though Hoffman at one point appeared to be moving into something close to a true closer's role, earning a save in fourth straight appearances from June 30 through July 10. He hasn't earned a save since then, though the Phillies as a team have just two in that time, with one going to Matt Strahm and the other to trade deadline acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save Friday and has allowed at least one run in four of his eight appearances for his new team, so there's no guarantee he gets the next chance.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Secures eighth save
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Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Friday and earned a save over Atlanta.
Hoffman threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes to close out the 8-6 win. He's picked up a save in three straight appearances and has converted six straight chances dating back to May 17. Hoffman now owns a stellar 1.21 ERA with a 47:8 K:BB through 37.1 frames. Jose Alvarado took the mound in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout win but gave up a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Notches seventh save
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Hoffman struck out two batters in a scoreless inning to collect the save Tuesday versus the Cubs.
The Phillies saw a 6-1 lead quickly get cut to 6-4 after Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run shot off Jose Ruiz in the ninth inning, so Philadelphia brought in Hoffman to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Jose Alvarado remains the team leader with 12 saves on the year, but Hoffman has also proven to be a reliable option with a 1.24 ERA in 36.1 innings.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Grabs fifth save
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Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Hoffman continues to impress in a late-inning role with the Phillies -- he's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.1 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 1.09 on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Hoffman's up to five saves with seven holds on the campaign.
