Blue Jays Jeff Hoffman Stays in Focus After Eighth-Inning Slam
PHOENIX — blue jays jeff hoffman was back in the spotlight on Saturday night, and the inning that followed only made the attention sharper. Hoffman entered a tied game in the eighth and left with the Toronto Blue Jays facing a 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks after Corbin Carroll hit a grand slam. The defeat was Toronto’s fourth straight and dropped the club to 7-13.
Blue Jays Jeff Hoffman works through another rough outing
Hoffman was used in the eighth inning as part of Toronto’s plan to keep him in regular work this season, and the move was not presented as a role change. But the result added to a difficult stretch for the right-hander, who has now been part of three blown saves and has seen his season earned-run average climb to 7. 71.
Against Arizona, Hoffman allowed two singles, a walk and then Carroll’s decisive slam before he recorded an out. The Blue Jays were tied 2-2 at the time, and the game turned immediately. Toronto later fell by four as the Diamondbacks finished off their fourth consecutive victory.
Hoffman said he has been too fine with his secondary pitches and has not put himself in position to finish hitters. He said he has been giving up hits early in counts and is trying to get to two strikes faster so he can put batters away.
Schneider keeps his trust in Hoffman
Manager John Schneider stood by Hoffman after the game, saying he has “a lot of trust and confidence” in the reliever and that Hoffman will remain “a big part” of the team. Schneider also said that if there is a situation to close out a game, he would take Jeff Hoffman.
That message came after another late-inning collapse and amid broader concern around a Blue Jays club that has now lost six of its last seven. Schneider said the team will keep making the best decisions going forward, while also trying to put Hoffman in spots where he can succeed.
Max Scherzer also backed his teammate, saying Hoffman has to figure it out and come out the other side. Scherzer added that the team believes Hoffman will get big outs and that support will not change.
What the standings and bullpen picture look like now
The loss left Toronto in last place in the American League, with the club trailing both the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees by more than four games entering Sunday. In the bullpen, Hoffman is one of the few relievers who has been hit hard this season, with the context of his latest outing only adding to the pressure around his role.
Hoffman said the burden of pitching in leverage is real, especially when outcomes swing so sharply, but he also said he has already shifted to the next day. The Blue Jays will keep exploring all avenues, and blue jays jeff hoffman will remain a major part of that conversation as Toronto tries to steady itself in the days ahead.
