Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised reliever Jeff Hoffman's performance in his first outing of the season, calling it a 'really good first step' after Hoffman pitched a scoreless inning against the Cleveland Guardians on April 25, 2026.
Hoffman, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays in January 2026, allowed one hit and struck out one batter in the appearance. The right-hander was acquired to bolster Toronto's bullpen after posting a 2.28 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025.
Schneider noted that Hoffman's fastball velocity was consistent, sitting at 96-97 mph, and that his secondary pitches looked sharp. 'It's exactly what we needed to see from him,' Schneider said after the game, which the Blue Jays won 5-3.
Hoffman's debut comes after he missed the start of the season due to a minor shoulder issue. The Blue Jays are counting on him to be a key setup man for closer Jordan Romano.
