Blue Jays: Comparing Jeff Hoffman’s numbers since being removed from the closer role
Hoffman was removed from the closer role following the April 21 game against the Los Angeles Angels, where he recorded just one out and hit two batters to load the bases. Although the Blue Jays ultimately won that game, it became clear that Hoffman’s days as the team’s primary closer were over, at least for the time being.
Since losing the role roughly a month ago, Hoffman has posted a 3.72 ERA across 10 appearances. It’s a vast improvement from the 7.59 ERA he carried while serving as the club’s closer through his first 12 outings. In May alone, Hoffman owns a 4.70 ERA and a 3.11 FIP, allowing four earned runs over 7 2/3 innings pitched.
One encouraging sign has been his ability to miss bats. Hoffman’s 15.1 strikeouts per nine innings rank as the highest mark among Blue Jays pitchers this season. His WHIP has also improved, as he has issued just one walk over his last eight appearances. The biggest question moving forward will be how he performs in different game situations.
In high-leverage situations, opposing hitters have slashed .368/.457/.579 against Hoffman, scoring 14 earned runs over 38 at-bats. In medium-leverage situations — where he has primarily been used recently — the results have been much better. Hoffman has allowed just zero runs and just four hits across 14 at-bats, producing a .286/.375/.357 slash line.
Looking deeper into his pitch profile, Hoffman is still generating plenty of whiffs. Opponents are missing on his slider 50 percent of the time, while his fastball and splitter have generated whiff rates above 35.4 percent and 37.5 percent, respectively. The issue has been the quality of contact when hitters do connect, as hard-hit balls have continued to lead to runs.
Another growing concern has been the running game. Hoffman’s delivery has allowed seven stolen bases this season, with at least one stolen base occurring in seven of his last eight appearances. That trend could encourage opposing teams to continue being aggressive on the basepaths moving forward.
Still, there are signs that he is gradually rebuilding his confidence. Even if the outings are not always scoreless, limiting the damage to one run is far more manageable than the multi-run blowups that plagued him earlier in the season.
The Blue Jays saw during the 2025 campaign just how effective Hoffman can be when he is pitching with confidence. That upside is still there, and the organization would undoubtedly prefer to help him rediscover that form rather than move on from a reliever who has already proven he can succeed at the back end of a bullpen.