Blue Jays remove Hoffman from closer role
The Toronto Blue Jays are removing Jeff Hoffman from the club's closer role, general manager Ross Atkins said Friday, per Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling.
"In the short term, we are going to share that responsibility," Atkins told reporters.
Hoffman has blown three saves this season and owns a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 innings pitched. He's in the second campaign of a three-year, $33-million contract with the Blue Jays.
In 2025, Hoffman recorded 33 saves along with a 4.37 ERA in 71 appearances, a significant drop-off from his All-Star form with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024.
Toronto will likely rely heavily on Louis Varland in high-leverage situations. He's yet to allow an earned run in 13 innings this season while notching 19 strikeouts.
On the heels of last year's appearance in the World Series, the Blue Jays are off to a 10-14 start with a minus-25 run differential. They begin a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.