The Toronto Blue Jays have little margin for error as September baseball ramps up, and their closer’s recent struggles have put the bullpen under an even brighter spotlight. Jeff Hoffman, who had trusted all season to lock down the ninth inning, has begun showing signs of wear. SportsNet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Thursday that six of the eight fastballs Hoffman threw in the series finale against Houston clocked under 95 miles per hour, well below his season average of 96.5.
For a reliever who has built his success on power stuff, that dip in velocity raises questions about how the Blue Jays can navigate the weeks ahead.
Despite a 4.76 ERA, seven blown saves, and an MLB-leading 15 home runs allowed by a reliever, manager John Schneider has stood firmly by Hoffman. The 32-year-old has collected 30 saves in his first year as Toronto’s full-time closer, and Schneider continues to back his ability to deliver under pressure.
Schneider Balances Trust With Adjustments
The Blue Jays manager admitted the team may need to shift its approach. Before Thursday’s game, he acknowledged that September arms often lose a tick on the radar gun.
“It’s September and there’s going to be some fluctuations with a lot of guys who have pitched a lot out of the bullpen,” Schneider said. “When you look up and you see that—and Jeff’s aware of it too—you probably have to just throw a different pitch a little bit more often.”
That different pitch mix could become the key. Hoffman has three secondary offerings—slider, splitter, and curve—that he has leaned on less frequently than his fastball. With hitters increasingly ready for his heater, especially when it dips below peak velocity, Toronto believes varying pitch selection could help limit hard contact late in games.
The workload is also a factor. Hoffman has already appeared in three of the past four games, and he was scheduled to rest Thursday before becoming available again against Baltimore. Schneider and the front office know they cannot run him into the ground, especially as the bullpen behind him has been shaky.
Since the All-Star break, Blue Jays relievers rank 25th in ERA (5.17) and 27th in walk rate (10.8 percent). Alongside Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez, Louis Varland, Yariel Rodriguez, and Brendon Little have all had stretches of inconsistency, leaving Toronto without a clear backup plan for the ninth inning. Caleb Joseph, breaking down the situation on Blue Jays Central, suggested the club must balance Hoffman’s usage carefully while identifying trusted arms to absorb high-leverage spots when needed.
A Crucial Stretch for Hoffman and the Jays
Another layer to Hoffman’s struggles is the way opponents now view him. As a locked-in closer, hitters and opposing coaching staffs prepare more deliberately for his sequences and tendencies. Schneider said pitch deployment, when Hoffman chooses each offering, has become a focal point of internal discussions.
“He’s got three different weapons that are really good,” Schneider explained. “Just trying to use them all appropriately is where the damage has come a little bit.”
The Orioles arrive in Toronto this weekend with the Blue Jays’ playoff positioning on the line. Hoffman’s ability to rebound from his velocity dip could determine whether Toronto secures late-inning stability or risks letting another September slip away.
The Blue Jays aren’t about to abandon their closer, but they will demand smarter usage, sharper pitch sequencing, and enough juice on the radar gun to keep hitters guessing. With October looming, Hoffman’s arm remains one of the most essential variables in Toronto’s postseason equation.
Blue Jays Face Closer Velocity Dip as Playoff Race Heats Up