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DETROIT, MI - JULY 25: A detailed view of a Toronto Blue Jays equipment bag sitting in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 25, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. The Blue Jays defeated the Tigers 6-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays made some big changes to the roster following a dramatic World Series defeat last year, but one key area could look the same come Opening Day.
Even after bringing in several new high-profile pitchers, the Blue Jays seem likely to stick with Jeff Hoffman as their closer moving forward, despite the fact that he had an up-and-down season.
“Over the winter, neither general manager Ross Atkins nor manager John Schneider gave full-throated support to Hoffman returning as the clear-cut closer,” Mike Wilner reported for the Toronto Star. “But pitching coach Pete Walker (said) that even though Hoffman might not get every save chance, the job is his: ‘We have a lot of guys who can do different things, but certainly Hoff is going to be the hammer at the end.’”
The Blue Jays did not bring in another clear-cut closer during their offseason of change, but the endorsement of Hoffman was still a bit of a surprise.
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Toronto Blue Jays Closer Jeff Hoffman Joins Team USA World Baseball Classic Roster
After an All-Star final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, he posted a harsh 4.37 ERA in his debut with the Blue Jays and his campaign ended when he gave up the first-ever game-tying ninth-inning homer in World Series history to Los Angeles Dodgers’ utility player Miguel Rojas.
Following that disappointment, there are surely Blue Jays fans who would like to see Hoffman moved into a different role. But he is seen around baseball as a dependable high-leverage arm, which is why he was tapped to replace Clayton Kershaw on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster before their semifinal game.
Hoffman joins superstar players like Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes as part of the roster, and he was reunited with some of his former Philadelphia Phillies teammates in Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber as well.
“It’s really cool getting to experience this with a new group of guys and guys that I obviously have a lot of respect for,” Hoffman told MLB Network from the dugout before the semifinal game. “I’ve always known that this is what I’m meant to do and what I’m meant to be and, if I stayed at it long enough, that this would start to happen. I’m proud that I’ve gotten to this point and I’m excited to be able to be in a clubhouse with a team like this.”
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Toronto Blue Jays Closer Jeff Hoffman Offers 4-Word Response On Reunion With Philadelphia Phillies Players
When asked specifically about his Phillies reunion on Team USA, Hoffman sent a four-word message about Harper and Schwarber.
“They’re big game players,” he said. “It’s going to be really fun to watch them again up close and personal. I’m excited to not have to pitch against them anymore, so I get to share the field with them one more time.”
Hoffman did not appear in Team USA’s semifinals game, but he could get the chance to perform in a high-leverage situation in the tournament championship later this week.
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