Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider addresses Jeff Hoffman's future as closer ahead of finale vs Angels
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke to reporters about Jeff Hoffman's future as closer ahead of the finale against the Los Angeles Angeles on Wednesday.
According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, manager John Schneider told reporters that he will use his off day to talk about a "role" with Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.
Jeff Hoffman is down today after pitching three times in four days, but manager John Schneider said Blue Jays will “use the off-day to talk about (role) with him.”
Schneider noted that he appreciates Hoffman’s accountability and doesn’t want to make a knee-jerk decision.
Schneider appreciates Hoffman’s accountability and doesn’t want to make a knee-jerk decision.
“I'm always going to, no matter what the outcome, try to put him in spots to have success,” he said. “He's a big boy. He understands that. Spotlight's on him a little bit and rightfully so. How can we be there to support you? How can we help you get ahead of hitters? Is it mechanical? Is it between the ears a little bit? What’s going on and how can we help?”
“I'm always going to, no matter what the outcome, try to put him in spots to have success,” he said. “He's a big boy. He understands that. Spotlight's on him a little bit and rightfully so. How can we be there to support you? How can we help you get ahead of hitters? Is it mechanical? Is it between the ears a little bit? What’s going on and how can we help?”
Schneider can no longer trust Hoffman in high-leverage situations at this point
Hoffman was handed a three-run cushion in the eighth inning on Tuesday, the right-hander appeared on his way to an easy save after getting dangerous Angels leadoff man Zach Neto to strike out swinging.
Then the trouble started. After Trout singled, Hoffman plunked both Jo Adell and Jorge Soler with mid-90s sinkers to load the bases. Yoan Moncada then yanked an outside splitter into right field to make it 4-2.
This time, however, manager John Schneider wasn’t waiting around.
Hoffman was pulled, fireballer Varland came in and, on his first pitch, crossed up Nolan Schanuel with a changeup that was turned into a second-short-first double play.
After that eventful outing, calls from fans to replace Hoffman with Varland have grown loud and clear.
Varland's lights out performance night in and night out speaks the loudest, so loud that the manager can no longer ignore what is right in front of him.
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