With Jeff Hoffman struggling, Blue Jays move to closer by committee

TORONTO — The Blue Jays will move to a closer by committee, general manager Ross Atkins said on Friday, taking Jeff Hoffman out of the role amid his early season struggles.“In the short term,” Atkins said, “that responsibility will be shared.”The Jays did not name a new closer, but Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty appear most likely to handle the closer duties. Hoffman will still pitch late in games for Toronto, manager John Schneider said, but is no longer tied to the ninth. Hoffman, calmly smiling at his locker ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Cleveland Guardians, said he was on board with the decision.Advertisement