Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman to replace Hall of Famer for U.S. at World Baseball Classic
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman has been added to Team USA's roster and will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's World Baseball Classic semifinal.
The Americans are making a change ahead of their matchup with the Dominican Republic.
According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, Hoffman will replace Clayton Kershaw on the roster and is joining the team in time for the semifinal.
Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman is joining the American team in Miami for the WBC semis, replacing Clayton Kershaw on the roster.
Kershaw will remain with team USA despite being removed from the roster
Hoffman, 33, has made two appearances during spring training, pitching two innings and recording three strikeouts.
The 2025 season marked his first year with the Blue Jays. Over 68 innings, he posted a 4.37 ERA with 84 strikeouts, 27 walks and 33 saves.
He was especially effective in the postseason, recording a 1.46 ERA across 12.1 innings while striking out 18 batters, issuing four walks and earning two saves.
Hoffman did surrender the game-tying home run to Miguel Rojas in Game 7 of the World Series, a game the Toronto Blue Jays eventually lost in extra innings.
If he takes the mound, it will mark Hoffman's first career appearance in the World Baseball Classic.
Kershaw, meanwhile, retired at the end of last season after an 18-year MLB career that included three National League Cy Young Awards.
The veteran left-hander briefly came out of retirement to join Team USA for the tournament but did not appear in any of the team's five games.
Despite being removed from the roster, Kershaw will remain with the club for the remainder of the tournament.
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MARS 14|60 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman to replace Hall of Famer for U.S. at World Baseball Classic Do you think Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman will be effective out of the bullpen for team USA in the WBC? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 65 % |
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