Blue Jays to close games by committee with Hoffman struggling

Jeff Hoffman has lost his job as the closer of the Toronto Blue Jays.

General manager Ross Atkins spoke to the media on Friday afternoon to reveal the team will close games by committee going forward while Hoffman tries to restore his game in lower-leverage spots.

Hoffman said he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him.

“Whatever puts the team in the best position to win. Right now, that’s not me there. We can reevaluate periodically,” he said.

Hoffman, 33, has struggled considerably in his second season in Toronto, posting a 7.59 ERA alongside three blown saves over 12 appearances

In Hoffman’s last outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, he came on with the Blue Jays leading 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth before hitting two batters and allowing two singles. Hoffman was lifted in favour of Louis Varland, who used one pitch to induce a game-ending double play.

The right-hander struggled with consistency last season too, posting a 4.37 ERA with 33 saves and seven blown saves. Hoffman seemed to fine his form in the playoffs with a 1.46 ERA over 10 appearances, but gave up the infamous game-tying home run to Miguel Rojas, the No. 9 hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.

Varland, Tyler Rogers and Braydon Fisher all have the potential to close games going forward.

The 10-14 Blue Jays open a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre on Friday.