JEFF HOFFMAN NEWS

Missed workout with stiff neck Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Hoffman didn't pitch in a simulated game Wednesday due to a stiff neck, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Thomson said holding Hoffman back was precautionary, adding that he expects the reliever to be "fine" for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. Hoffman will be a high-leverage reliever for the Phillies this postseason following a regular season which saw him collect a 2.17 ERA and 89:16 K:BB over 66.1 innings.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Secures 10th save Hoffman struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta.

Impact Both Hoffman and Carlos Estevez had gone two days without pitching, so it's unclear why Hoffman got the save chance in this outing. This was his fourth scoreless outing in a row, and he's allowed three runs over 9.1 innings across his last 11 appearances since a four-run meltdown at Seattle on Aug. 3. Hoffman hadn't logged a save since July 10, and it's unclear if this signals a changing in the bullpen hierarchy or not, though manager Rob Thomson is known to prefer a committee for closing duties. For the year, Hoffman has a 1.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB through 56.1 innings while adding 10 saves and 17 holds.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Earns another hold Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, facing two batters and earning one popout and one strikeout.

Impact The Phillies have had a fluid approach to the ninth inning this season, though Hoffman at one point appeared to be moving into something close to a true closer's role, earning a save in fourth straight appearances from June 30 through July 10. He hasn't earned a save since then, though the Phillies as a team have just two in that time, with one going to Matt Strahm and the other to new acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save on Friday and has now allowed at least one run in four of his eight appearances for his new team, so there's no guarantee he gets the next chance.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Hoffman's rare stumble prolongs Phils' funk SEATTLE – The Phillies keep finding incredible ways to lose. They blew their latest lead in Saturday night’s 6-5 loss to the Mariners in 10...

AUGUST 4 • MLB.COM

Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman prove they don't need designated reliever roles to make the All-Star game All the age-old chatter about relievers needing to have defined roles in order to thrive? The Phillies have turned it all on its ear.

JULY 17 • INQUIRER.COM

Locks down ninth save Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Impact Jose Alvarado was called upon to face Freddie Freeman and the heart of the Los Angeles order in the eighth inning, leaving the save chance to Hoffman. That's been the norm of late, as Hoffman has saves in four straight appearances since June 30, while Alvarado has only one save and one hold during that time. Hoffman's performance has earned him increased responsibility, as he hasn't walked a batter in over a month and has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings. Manager Rob Thomson will play matchups in high-leverage spots with the left-handed Alvarado and the right-handed Hoffman, but the latter seems the better bet for saves heading into the All-Star break.

JULY 11 • ROTOWIRE

2024 MLB All-Star rosters: By the numbers

A look at some of the most interesting numbers involving this year's group of MLB All-Stars.

JULY 9

Pirates' Paul Skenes an All-Star just 8 weeks after debut, and 7 Phillies picked for All-Star Game

Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes was picked for the All-Star Game just eight weeks after his debut, and major league-leading Philadelphia had...

JULY 7

Secures eighth save Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning and earned a save over Atlanta.

Impact Hoffman threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes to close out the 8-6 win. He's picked up saves in three straight appearances and has converted six straight chances dating back to May 17. Hoffman now owns a stellar 1.21 ERA with a 47:8 K:BB through 37.1 frames. Jose Alvarado took the mound in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout win but gave up a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eighth save Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Friday and earned a save over Atlanta.

Impact Hoffman threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes to close out the 8-6 win. He's picked up a save in three straight appearances and has converted six straight chances dating back to May 17. Hoffman now owns a stellar 1.21 ERA with a 47:8 K:BB through 37.1 frames. Jose Alvarado took the mound in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout win but gave up a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Notches seventh save Hoffman struck out two batters in a scoreless inning to collect the save Tuesday versus the Cubs.

Impact The Phillies saw a 6-1 lead quickly get cut to 6-4 after Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run shot off Jose Ruiz in the ninth inning, so Philadelphia brought in Hoffman to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Jose Alvarado remains the team leader with 12 saves on the year, but Hoffman has also proven to be a reliable option with a 1.24 ERA in 36.1 innings.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Earns sixth save Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs Miami.

Impact Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid to pick up his sixth save. Jose Alvarado leads the Phillies with 12 saves this season, but Hoffman has gotten the occasional opportunity. No matter the role, Hoffman has proven to be one of the most reliable bullpen weapons for the Phillies this season, pitching with a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies' Jeff Hoffman thought about that Game 7 slider all winter — and how to get better During the winter, Hoffman kept coming back to that ill-fated pitch in the NLCS. He wants another shot at that Game 7 moment.

FEBRUARY 23 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Jeff Hoffman's rise to trusted Phillies reliever is the culmination of a life-changing year Every year, countless pitchers sign minor-league deals with the hopes of impressing. For Hoffman, it's been a remarkable rise in 2023.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Three Phillies relievers whose rise helps explain one of baseball's best bullpens "I haven't been in one like this," Jeff Hoffman said of the Phillies' bullpen. "We have some serious thunder down there."

JULY 14, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Contract selected by PHI Hoffman had his contract selected by the Phillies on Thursday.

Impact Hoffman triggered the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with Philly earlier this week, forcing the hand of the reigning NL champs. He had racked up 16 strikeouts through nine innings of relief this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was holding an overall 7.00 ERA. The right-hander figures to operate in a low-leverage bullpen role.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exercises opt-out clause Hoffman exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Phillies earlier this week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hoffman has yet to be officially released, so perhaps the two sides were able to come to a new agreement. If not, he will soon become a free agent. The 30-year-old right-hander has flashed improved velocity this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was sporting an ugly 7.00 ERA through nine innings of relief in the International League.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs minors deal with Phillies Hoffman signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Hoffman will make $1.3 million if he reaches the majors and can opt out at the start of May if not. The 30-year-old's 5.68 career ERA in parts of seven big-league seasons is poor even when considering he spent five years in Colorado and two in Cincinnati, but the Phillies might need him nonetheless. Philadelphia is currently without fourth starter Ranger Suarez (forearm) as well as likely sixth and seventh starters Andrew Painter (elbow) and Cristopher Sanchez (triceps). Even if Hoffman gets a call-up, however, he won't have much fantasy appeal.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Granted release by Twins Hoffman was released by the Twins on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Hoffman triggered the opt-out in his minor-league contract after failing to make the Opening Day roster. The right-hander pitched well this spring after a rough first outing and should receive interest on the open market, although it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to land a major-league deal.

MARCH 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moved down to minor-league camp Hoffman was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Twins on Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hoffman has an opt-out in his minor-league contract, and this could lead to him deciding to test free agency. The right-hander dealt with elbow troubles in the early part of camp, and he posted a 3.60 ERA over five innings in the Grapefruit League before the demotion.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes spring debut Hoffman (elbow) worked an inning of relief and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Pirates in Grapefruit League play...

Impact Hoffman, who inked a minor-league deal with the Twins in late February, made his spring debut Sunday after spending the prior week ramping up at camp. The right-hander appears to be healthy again after forearm and elbow trouble sidelined him for most of the entire second half of the past season while he was with the Reds. Since Hoffman isn't a member of the Twins' 40-man roster, he may face an uphill battle to win a spot in Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to Minnesota Hoffman (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Sunday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Hoffman elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Reds in November, and he's finally secured a new deal with spring training just underway. The 30-year-old had a 3.83 ERA and 45:23 K:BB over 44.2 innings last season but missed the second half with forearm and elbow issues. The right-hander's contract includes opt outs March 28, May 15 and June 15, so he'll have options if the Twins don't add him to the big-league roster.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Reds Hoffman (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday.

Impact Before having his season cut short in July, Hoffman recorded a 3.83 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 44.2 innings in 2022 -- the best marks of his seven-year career to date. He lost his spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for prospects being protected from the Rule 5 Draft, but considering the solid year he just had prior to injury, it's possible he'll get claimed off waivers by another team.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to resume throwing Hoffman (forearm) has been cleared to resume throwing, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Hoffman felt soreness in his forearm while throwing last week, but he apparently was not dealing with anything out of the ordinary. It remains to be seen when he will be ready to rejoin Cincinnati's bullpen.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Responds poorly to throwing session Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Hoffman (forearm) wasn't feeling well after his throwing session in Milwaukee over the weekend and is scheduled to meet with a doctor, B...

Impact Bell acknowledged that he wasn't sure whether Hoffman would need to undergo an MRI, but at the very least, the right-hander looks like he'll have his throwing progression slowed down while he continues to experience forearm discomfort. Hoffman posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 44.2 innings out of the bullpen for Cincinnati before landing on the 15-day injured list July 24.

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE