Blue Jays' closer Jeff Hoffman responds to comments made by manager John Schneider

The Blue Jays were two innings from a comfortable series win over the White Sox, who felt like the perfect opponent for Toronto to build some momentum against.

Instead, a series of late, self-inflicted mistakes from the Blue Jays' bullpen landed them a 4-2 loss as they took just one of three from the White Sox, who sit in the American League's basement with a 25-53 record.

Hoffman entered in the top of the eighth, an earlier assignment than we typically see for the closer to target the top of the White Sox lineup as they were already pressing.

Hoffman had leadoff man Chase Meidroth in a 1-2 count, a strike away from ending the inning, but couldn't find it.

Hoffman walked Meidroth, but had another chance to escape the inning when Andrew Benintendi rolled a slow dribbler up the first-base line.

Hoffman bobbled the ball, then tumbled into a barrel roll of sorts as it continued to dance just out of his reach. This tied the game and kept the inning alive long enough for Miguel Vargas to double home two more.

It marked Hoffman's fourth blown save of the season in his first campaign with the Blue Jays, leaving the veteran one shy of the league lead shared by Kyle Finnegan, Tanner Scott and Ryan Helsley.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider responded to the media when asked about Hoffman in the post game presser.

Hoffman in turn responded to Blue Jays manager John Schneider saying,

It may be time for the Toronto Blue Jays to reconsider how they use Jeff Hoffman.

After Rodriguez's mediocre debut season in the big leagues as a starter, the Cuban righty has found a home as a high-leverage reliever in the Jays' pen.

With a two-strikeout performance on Sunday, the 28-year-old has a 2.61 ERA and a 3.99 FIP in 38 innings pitched, with a 25.5 K% and an 8.5 BB%.

That doesn't tell the whole story of just how dominant Rodriguez has been.

In his first 14.1 innings pitched this season, Rodriguez gave up nine earned runs for a 5.65 FIP and 7.11 FIP, while striking out 19.4% of batters and posting a 12.9 BB%.

Since May 7, Rodriguez has pitched 23.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs for a 0.76 ERA and a 2.18 FIP. Moreover, Rodriguez has a 30.4 K% and a 5.1 BB% in that span. He's been dominant and even picked up his first career save on June 11.

Yimi Garcia is still on the Blue Jays' 15-day Injured List, but appears to be close to returning to pitching duties as he's throwing bullpen sessions. When he's been healthy, Garcia has been used as the Jays' de facto closer when Hoffman was unable to pitch this season.

In 17 games in relief, Fisher has pitched 18 innings and hasn't given up a single run, either earned or unearned. He's walked just two batters while striking out 26, giving him a 41.9 K% and a 3.2 BB%. Fisher's K-BB% of 38.7% is first in the big leagues for any pitcher coming out of the bullpen in relief with 10 or more innings pitched.

Toronto opens a three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, entering at 41-36, four games out of the division lead in the AL East and alone in second in the AL wild-card standings.