The Toronto Blue Jays introduced their newest addition to the media, with Jeff Hoffman fielding questions from Toronto&#8217;s beat journalists via a Zoom call earlier today. Hoffman joined the Blue Jays last Friday on a three-year deal worth $33 million.
Just as soon as Toronto announced on social media that Hoffman had signed with the Jays, reports started to surface about previous teams being interested in the right-hander but flagged his medical checks. The first news to make the rounds <a href="https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1877887892921446647">involved</a> the Baltimore Orioles, who tried to renegotiate a three-year, $40 million pact when they flagged his shoulder.
Earlier this week, reports also surfaced that the Atlanta Braves <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1878848549653487811" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were close to a deal</a> with Hoffman before even Baltimore was interested. The Braves were interested in using Hoffamin in a starting capacity, although, they too walked back their contract offer with concerns related to his medical tests. The Braves were still interested in Hoffman, similar to the Orioles, but the two sides couldn&#8217;t find common ground and the Blue Jays swooped in to seal the deal at the end of the day.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Hoffman was asked by <a href="https://twitter.com/RGriffBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RGriffBaseball</a> if he’d have a little extra motivation when the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> face the Orioles&#8230;
“Yes. We can add them to the list.”
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1879599054457536982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;All the flagged physical stuff was a big as a surprise to me as anybody. You can check my track record over the past few seasons, I have been as healthy as anybody. It&#8217;s a non-issue for me.&#8221;
The reporters kept inquiring about the Orioles and Braves physicals, and Hoffman was quick to respond.
&#8220;I went for in-person physicals with both teams. Stuff they saw in the MRI&#8217;s, whatever they saw, what their team docs were saying and not anything in line with how I feel. It&#8217;s not something I am concerned or really worried about.&#8221;
Last season, Hoffman was one of the best relievers in the big leagues, posting a 2.17 ERA through 68 appearances with the Phillies. He posted a 0.965 WHIP with 10 saves and struck out 89 batters to the tune of a 12.1 K/9. A former starter, Hoffman has found a rhythm after moving to the bullpen and will slot in as the Blue Jays closer next season.
As for the failed medical with the Orioles, Hoffman is looking forward to facing the Blue Jays AL East rival next season and beyond.
&#8220;Yes. We can add them to the list.&#8221;
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The Toronto Blue Jays introduced their newest addition to the media, with Jeff Hoffman fielding questions from Toronto's beat journalists via a Zoom call earlier today. Hoffman joined the Blue Jays last Friday on a three-year deal worth $33 million.

Just as soon as Toronto announced on social media that Hoffman had signed with the Jays, reports started to surface about previous teams being interested in the right-hander but flagged his medical checks. The first news to make the rounds <a href="https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1877887892921446647">involved</a> the Baltimore Orioles, who tried to renegotiate a three-year, $40 million pact when they flagged his shoulder.

Earlier this week, reports also surfaced that the Atlanta Braves <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1878848549653487811" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were close to a deal</a> with Hoffman before even Baltimore was interested. The Braves were interested in using Hoffamin in a starting capacity, although, they too walked back their contract offer with concerns related to his medical tests. The Braves were still interested in Hoffman, similar to the Orioles, but the two sides couldn't find common ground and the Blue Jays swooped in to seal the deal at the end of the day.

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1879599054457536982

"All the flagged physical stuff was a big as a surprise to me as anybody. You can check my track record over the past few seasons, I have been as healthy as anybody. It's a non-issue for me."

The reporters kept inquiring about the Orioles and Braves physicals, and Hoffman was quick to respond.

"I went for in-person physicals with both teams. Stuff they saw in the MRI's, whatever they saw, what their team docs were saying and not anything in line with how I feel. It's not something I am concerned or really worried about."

Last season, Hoffman was one of the best relievers in the big leagues, posting a 2.17 ERA through 68 appearances with the Phillies. He posted a 0.965 WHIP with 10 saves and struck out 89 batters to the tune of a 12.1 K/9. A former starter, Hoffman has found a rhythm after moving to the bullpen and will slot in as the Blue Jays closer next season.

As for the failed medical with the Orioles, Hoffman is looking forward to facing the Blue Jays AL East rival next season and beyond.

"Yes. We can add them to the list."

<a href="https://betway.com/en/sports/grp/baseball/usa/mlb">All Toronto Blue Jays odds are brought to you by MLB betting site Betway</a>!

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Newest Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman discusses flagged medical exams: “It’s not something I am concerned about”

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