Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Misses workout with stiff neck
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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.
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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Secures 10th save
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Hoffman struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta.
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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Earns another hold
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Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, striking out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
The Phillies have taken 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 trade deadline acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save Friday and has 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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Locks down ninth save
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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.
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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Secures eighth save
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Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Friday and earned a save over Atlanta.
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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Notches seventh save
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Hoffman struck out two batters in a scoreless inning to collect the save Tuesday versus the Cubs.
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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Earns sixth save
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Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs. Miami.
Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid in picking 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, posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Grabs fifth save
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Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Hoffman continues to impress in a late-inning role with the Phillies -- he's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.1 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 1.09 on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Hoffman's up to five saves with seven holds on the campaign.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Earns fourth save
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Hoffman picked up the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Rangers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Jose Alvarado pitched the eighth inning Thursday, leaving the ninth to Hoffman who'd set down the Rangers in order for his fourth save of the year. The Phillies continue to utilize a high-leverage approach to their bullpen, which has resulted in save opportunities for Hoffman when Alvarado is needed earlier in games. The 31-year-old right-hander has been excellent this year, posting a 1.25 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB across 21.2 innings.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Grabs third save
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Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
After Jose Alvarado finished the eighth inning, the Phillies turned to Hoffman in the ninth. The right-hander worked around Joey Gallo's one-out double to record his third save of the season, and his first since April 30. Hoffman's been sharp this year, pitching to a 0.90 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB over 20 innings. While Alvarado is still Philly's preferred ninth-inning option, Hoffman should see the occasional save chance depending on matchups.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Winds up with save
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Hoffman picked up the save Tuesday, striking out one during a perfect inning against the Angels.
Hoffman was thrust into a save chance after the Phillies took the lead with a three-run top of the ninth and came through for his second save of the season. He hasn't allowed a run in 8.2 straight innings and owns a 1.29 ERA as a setup man for Jose Alvarado.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Nabs win Saturday
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Hoffman (2-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Pirates, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
After shutting Pittsburgh down on 17 pitches (11 strikes) in the top of the ninth to preserve a 3-3 tie, Hoffman got rewarded when Nick Castellanos walked it off with a single in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander has had a strong start to the season in a high-leverage role, being scored upon in only one of his seven appearances while posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB, but the ninth-inning picture for the Phillies could get even more crowded when Orion Kerkering (forearm) gets added to the mix, joining Hoffman (one save) and Jose Alvarado (two saves).
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Picks up first save
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Hoffman earned the save Wednesday against the Cardinals, working around a hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
After allowing two runs in his last outing Monday, Hoffman rebounded with a scoreless frame Wednesday to earn his first save of the season and third of his career. The 31-year-old right-hander figures to be in the ninth-inning mix for the Phillies going forward, though Jose Alvarado is likely still the preferred closing option. Overall, Hoffman has a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through his first six appearances this year.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Blows save, picks up win
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Hoffman (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning Monday. He struck out one, blew a save chance and earned a win over the Phillies.
Hoffman coughed up the 3-1 lead in the ninth inning after Jose Alvarado worked a clean eighth but the Phillies quickly took the lead back in the 10th to get Hoffman the victory. Hoffman had turned in 4.1 scoreless frames prior to Monday's hiccup. As of now, Alvarado still appears to be the team's top ninth-inning option.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Scoreless spring continues
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Hoffman struck out the side against the Tigers on Friday and now has a 10:2 K:BB in 7.2 scoreless innings this spring.
After struggling as a swingman with the Rockies and Reds for most of his career, Hoffman suddenly emerged as a shutdown reliever for the Phillies last season. He finished the year with a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 52.1 innings. If his spring numbers are any indication, he's on track for a similar performance this season. That could earn him a handful of saves if the Phillies go with a closer committee, which manager Rob Thomson has favored in the past.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Gets raise from Phillies
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The Phillies and Hoffman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.2 million contract Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
It was the final year of arbitration eligibility for Hoffman, who is coming off his best season in the majors after collecting a 2.41 ERA and 69:19 K:BB over 52.1 innings. He'll be a high-leverage option out of the Phillies' bullpen again in 2024.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Contract selected by PHI
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Hoffman had his contract selected by the Phillies on Thursday.
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 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.
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Phillies' Jeff Hoffman: Signs minors deal with Phillies
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Hoffman signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
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.
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Twins' Jeff Hoffman: Moves down to minor-league camp
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The Twins reassigned Hoffman to minor-league camp Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Twins' Jeff Hoffman: Makes spring debut
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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.
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.
