Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman set the franchise single-season record for home runs allowed in the ninth inning or later with 12 after another meltdown against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, according to Sportsnet Stats.
With the score tied at one to start the ninth inning, Hoffman allowed back-to-back home runs to Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich. He gave up a third earned run in the frame to push his season ERA to 5.11 while handing the Brewers a 4-1 victory at Rogers Centre.
Jackson Chourio to Christian Yelich 😤
— MLB (@MLB) August 30, 2025
The @Brewers go back-to-back and take the lead! pic.twitter.com/rQEfvPxt05
The 32-year-old has had an up-and-down first campaign with the Blue Jays. His 14 total homers allowed are a career high as a reliever, but he's also saved 29 games and struck out 75 hitters in 56 1/3 frames.
Manager John Schneider was asked postgame if he would consider changing Hoffman's role.
"He's got 29 saves. He's shown that he can do it," the manager said, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
"We've got to figure out, not just him but multiple guys, their strike-throwing and locating. We're going to make the best decision for everyone to try to win every single night."
Toronto's bullpen entered Saturday's game with the second-worst ERA and walks-per-nine rate since the All-Star break.
"We've got a lot of guys who are trying really hard in there," Hoffman said after the loss, according to Matheson. "You don't want to be the guy that ruins it for everybody for the night. Tomorrow's a new day."
