"Jeff Hoffman is joining @USABaseball for the Semifinals at the #WorldBaseballClassic. Hoffman is taking the place of LA Dodgers legend and three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, who didn't appear in any of Team USA's games during pool play, and also didn't pitch in the quarterfinal game on Friday night against Team Canada."
"Hoffman is coming off his first season of a three-year $33 million deal he signed with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 season. He had an up and down year during the regular season. He allowed just two earned runs through the first month of the year, pitching in 15.1 innings while striking out 22 hitters."
"He would allow a league high (by a reliever) 15 home runs, but had stints where he was absolutely lights out, and other periods where he struggled mightily. His 1.99 HR/9 was his highest since becoming a full-time reliever and the 15 home runs were one more than he'd given up in the previous three seasons combined."
Jeff Hoffman, a pitcher from Latham, New York, has been selected to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against the Dominican Republic on Sunday at 8 p.m. He replaces Clayton Kershaw, the legendary LA Dodgers pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner who retired after the 2025 season. Although Kershaw didn't appear in any of Team USA's pool play or quarterfinal games, he achieved his goal of winning a World Series ring with the Dodgers in 2025, defeating Hoffman's Toronto Blue Jays. Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays before the 2025 season and had a mixed regular season, leading all relievers with 15 home runs allowed while also recording strong strikeout performances. He improved significantly in the postseason.
Read at Jays Journal
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