Blue Jays' manager John Schneider on Jeff Hoffman's future as Toronto's closer
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke with the media after Jeff Hoffman blew a save in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, angering Blue Jays fans in the aftermath of his collapse.
The hitter who goes 0-for-4 with a few strikeouts rarely gets the headline, but when Jeff Hoffman stumbles, it's right there in the brightest light for all to see.
It happened again Tuesday night when Hoffman allowed two home runs in the ninth inning to the Twins, which quickly turned a 4-3 win into a 7-5 loss and cheers into boos at Rogers Centre.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider defends his closer and will continue to use him in high-leverage situations
«It was one of those nights for Jeff, but for him and with everyone, it comes down to executing,» manager John Schneider said.
«These guys all have good stuff and they've been really good for us all year, but there's a couple of them going through it a little bit. When it comes to him, but everyone, it comes down to putting the ball where you want to. I think that both homers were kind of right in the middle of the zone.»
Hoffman now owns a 4.77 ERA, but he sure doesn't look like a 4.77 ERA pitcher every time out, which is what has made this so difficult to wrangle throughout the season.
Many days, he looks like one of the most dominant closers in the game. Other days, home runs happen.
All season, the Blue Jays have stood by Hoffman throughout his ups and downs. When he's on, he can dominate opposing hitters.
But only two relievers have allowed more home runs this season: Chad Green, (14) who was released by the Blue Jays, and Jackson Rutledge, a long reliever for the Nationals.
John Schneider said lapses in command have contributed to those big hits, but he made it clear he'll continue going to Hoffman in big spots.
«Hoff's been so good for us,» John Schneider said. «The closer's role is scrutinized like my role, like a couple different roles in this game and that comes with it, but when he's available and we want to save a game, I'm going to bring him in. He's shown he can do it.»
Afterwards, Bassitt expressed confidence that Hoffman will bounce back, just as he has before.
"I trust [Hoffman] more than anyone... You're allowed to have bad ones." Chris Bassitt voices his support for Jeff Hoffman following Tuesday's loss to the Twins.
Hoffman has appeared in 57 games for the Blue Jays this year; of those games, he's allowed at least a run in just 14 of them, with seven of them being multi-run games.
Thus, in 43 other games, Hoffman has been solid, which is why Schneider still entrusts him with ninth-inning duties.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 246 ANSWERS Blue Jays' manager John Schneider on Jeff Hoffman's future as Toronto's closer Do you think John Schneider should keep on using Jeff Hoffman in high-leverage situations? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 38.6 % |
| No | 151 | 61.4 % |
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