MLB·New
Jeff Hoffman will not be closing games for the Toronto Blue Jays in the near future, with general manager Ross Atkins saying Friday it would be a shared responsibility among the team’s other relief pitchers for the short term.
General manager Ross Atkins says 9th-inning duties will be shared for short termGregory Strong · The Canadian Press · Posted: Apr 24, 2026 4:22 PM EDT | Last Updated: 15 minutes ago
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This season, Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman has a 1-2 record with three blown saves and a 7.59 earned-run average. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images via Reuters/File)
The Toronto Blue Jays are moving Jeff Hoffman out of the closer role.
General manager Ross Atkins says ninth-inning duties will be a shared responsibility for the short term.
Hoffman has struggled over the first few weeks of the season. He has a 1-2 record with three blown saves and a 7.59 earned-run average.
The right-hander could still have save opportunities but he’s no longer the clear option to close out games.
The Blue Jays are the reigning American League champions but have a 10-14 record entering play Friday night against the visiting Cleveland Guardians.
Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers are two of Toronto’s top high-leverage relievers. Yimi Garcia, who’s building up after elbow surgery last year, could be another ninth-inning option when he returns.
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