The Philadelphia Phillies are on their annual pilgrimage north of the border to Toronto to play the Blue Jays this week. So, it seems fitting to check in on former Phillie Jeff Hoffman and take a look at when we can expect to see him in Philadelphia this summer.
His return is approaching fast, with his first trip back to Citizens Bank Park coming up next weekend.
The Phillies play only one series per season against most American League teams. However, the Blue Jays are considered rivals thanks to the 1993 World Series. As such, they play two series each year, despite being interleague opponents. It used to be a quick two-game series at each ballpark, but this year we're being treated to three games in Canada before three games in Philly later in the summer.
While Phillies players and coaches will no doubt relish the reunion with their old friend Hoffman at Rogers Centre, not many Phillies fans will get a chance to be there in person to see the right-hander. Hopefully, the Phillies run away with all three games this week and Hoffman stays parked in the bullpen. The Blue Jays have been flirting with the .500 mark all season, so the Phillies can hopefully get back on track and take care of business north of the border.
When will Phillies fans get to see Jeff Hoffman back in Philadelphia?
After the Phillies and Blue Jays wrap up their set in the 6ix, the two "rivals" will face off again just a week later when Toronto visits Citizens Bank Park for three games from June 13-15.
Hoffman, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract in the offseason, was designated the Blue Jays' closer from the get-go. Things started out well enough for the 32-year-old right-hander. He went a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances with a 1.10 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.
Jeff "TORONTO BLUE JAY" Hoffman 😤 pic.twitter.com/1wcy3lhssF
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 13, 2025
But things got rocky after that. Starting with back-to-back three-run outings in early May, Hoffman has a 13.50 ERA since May 6 and has blown three of his nine save opportunities. He still has 15 strikeouts in his 10 innings of work over that stretch, but has also walked five batters. He issued only two walks through his first 14 games.
On the season, Hoffman is 4-2 with 13 saves, a 5.81 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Hoffman spent two seasons in the Phillies bullpen, and revived his big league career in Philadelphia. He posted an 8-5 record with a 2.28 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 33.4 percent strikeout rate in red pinstripes. But more than his incredible numbers, Hoffman's intense, brash demeanor on the mound endeared him to Phillies fans. He carried a swagger and an attitude that helped set the tone in the arm barn.
The Phillies tried to re-sign him to a similar contract that he got with the Blue Jays. Hoffman thought he was going to get more elsewhere as a starter, so hit the market, and the Phillies pivoted to Jordan Romano.
Much was made about the Phillies and Blue Jays swapping closers in the offseason. So let's see how Hoffman's 2025 compares to Romano's first two months in Philadelphia. Unlike Hoffman, Romano got off to a horrible start with his new team, posting a 13.50 ERA and blowing two of his three save chances through April 23.
But since April 27, Romano has a 2.84 ERA and is 7-for-7 in saves. Before giving up the three-run homer to the Athletics' Nick Kurtz on their West Coast road trip, he had rattled off nine straight scoreless outings. On the year, Romano has a 7.36 ERA with eight saves in 10 chances and 29 strikeouts in 22 innings.
Jordan Romano, K'ing the Side in the 9th. pic.twitter.com/iYU0vC8YBK
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 18, 2025
Needless to say, both closers are still finding their footing with their new clubs. Hopefully the Phillies can do some damage if they face Hoffman this week in Toronto or next weekend when he visits The Bank.