A new issue popping up in Jeff Hoffman's game that has hurt the Blue Jays' reliever

The Toronto Blue Jays keep finding ways to frustrate their fans. Or rather, they keep doing the same thing, not hitting, that is frustrating fans - but that only magnifies everything else that happens around the team and furthers that frustration when they come up short in the win column. The Blue Jays managed only five hits and two walks in a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday night (May 15) dropping their record to 19-25 through their first 44 games of the season.

Despite an impressive performance from Trey Yesavage, who pitched six innings, struck out six and allowed just two runs, the offense couldn't further support him. That also meant the bullpen had to work in multiple high leverage innings and for the most part they did that effectively.

Braydon Fisher worked got through the seventh with a walk and an strikeout. Joe Mantiply gave up a hit but nothing more during his appearance in the eighth inning. Along came Jeff Hoffman, to try and get the game to extra innings as he entered with a 2-2 tie in the ninth. Hoffman allowed two hits, a walk and despite getting two strikeouts, he also allowed the winning run.

But it wasn't on a home run, something that has been a reoccurring problem for Hoffman since signing with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 season. The issue now, is how he controls the running game. Manager John Schneider told reporters after the game, "The thing is, you've got to limit stolen bases. The last couple outings for Hoff, teams are taking advantage of that.”

And so it seems there's a new issue in Hoffman's game that limits his effectiveness in late game situations. Something that won't sit well with fans who are growing increasingly concerned that this team is falling too far behind in the standings.

Hoffman needs to adjust, but the so does the rest of the team

Hoffman has now been saddled with his third loss of the season and his ERA has ballooned to 6.05 as he's allowed 13 earned runs in 19.1 innings pitched this season. Since being removed from the closers role, Hoffman has appeared in nine games, throwing 8.2 innings and has 10 strikeouts, but has allowed five runs (four earned) for a 4.15 ERA. He's still striking out the opposition at an elite rate of 35.2% (97th percentile) but he's getting into trouble as hitters have a .510 BABIP against him

And not only are they putting the ball in play and having success at that, runners are 6-for-6 in stolen bases with Hoffman on the mound. Against the Tigers, Hoffman struck out Riley Greene to open the ninth, but allowed a single to Matt Vierling. Hoffman then struck out Gage Workman.

On a 1-0 pitch to the next batter, Zach McKinstry, Vierling took off and stole second base. Hoffman decided to put McKinstry on, but that brought Spencer Torkelson to the plate, and on a 2-2 pitch he hit a ball into the gap in right-centre field to walk-off the Blue Jays. The stolen base played a large roll, as it meant Hoffman decided to walk McKinstry to get to Torkelson, with the idea being getting a ground ball would allow the Blue Jays to get an out at any bag.

The problem was that also put Vierling in scoring position to come home on that hit by Torkelson. It's unfortunate for Hoffman who can't seem to catch a break, but also is exposing new flaws in his game for the opponents to take advantage of. The more base runners he allows, the more opportunity they are getting to move themselves into scoring position. Hoffman has allowed at least one baserunner in 18 of his 21 appearances this season. Perhaps, by bringing down that .510 BABIP and lowering his 3.72 walk rate, the stolen bases will take care of themselves.

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