Maybe the first sign of trouble around Jeff Hoffman was when the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer allowed a game-tying home run to light-hitting Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.
Maybe the second sign of trouble arrived in February, when Hoffman said he would “always” bear the burden of what ultimately became a season-ending loss in extra innings.
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What transpired to begin the 2026 season, then, was mere confirmation. Hoffman has a 7.59 ERA through his first 12 appearances of the season. Friday, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atikins told reporters the team will move to a “closer by committee.”
Although Atkins allowed for Hoffman to get some save chances going forward, so will Louis Varland, who’s been much more effective (0.00 ERA, 19 strikeouts in 13 innings) to start the new season.
Hoffman, 33, was an All-Star with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. But he’s now responsible for three blown saves in his first six chances of 2026, despite not inheriting any runners on base.
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Expect Hoffman to work primarily in lower-leverage roles while he regains his confidence before touching a close, late-game situation again.
While the frustrations with Hoffman reached a boiling point — externally, at least — Varland has quietly put together one of the most dominant seasons of any reliever in baseball. Among relievers, only San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has a better real and expected FIP (fielding independent pitching) this season than Varland.