Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman reaches new low point, leaves Toronto begging for change originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It didn't seem like things could get much worse for Jeff Hoffman.But they did. Saturday night was a new low for the Toronto Blue Jays closer.He entered in a tie game in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It didn't stay tied for long.Hoffman allowed a single, then another single, then walked a guy.In stepped Corbin Carroll, and out went the baseball. A grand slam, and a 6-2 Diamondbacks win.Hoffman's ERA raised to 7.71, and the calls to have him replaced at the back end of the bullpen will only increase.Grand slam, D-backs.Jeff Hoffman just loaded the bases and gave up the big blow here in the 8th.Single, Single, Walk, Grand Slam.The #BlueJays are down, 6-2, one inning away from their fourth straight loss.— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 19, 2026MORE: This Blue Jays prospect is related to an NBA Hall of FamerHoffman was already off to a rough start to the season, and even dating back to the end of last year, he's been iffy at times.A night like this could be the nail in the coffin, though.

It's hard for a manager to continue trusting a guy in the closer role after this.Hoffman has good stuff, but it isn't playing particularly well right now. The Blue Jays need someone who can finish games effectively. Hoffman has lost that ability, and it's not clear when he'll be getting it back.More MLB news:Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max MuncyThis hitter has a worse OBP than his batting averageRed Sox green uniforms have absurd walk-off magicThis slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong directionThis second-generation relief pitcher is on an absurd wins pace