Canada’s exit from the World Baseball Classic may have ended one storyline, but for Toronto Blue Jays fans, the tournament is far from over.
The upcoming semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic now features several familiar faces from Toronto’s roster — and a late addition could quietly become one of the game’s most intriguing variables.
The marquee matchup already had plenty of star power. Dominican Republic slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to anchor his nation’s lineup, while Team USA counters with Toronto infielder Ernie Clement and recently added reliever Tyler Rogers.
Now another Blue Jays arm is entering the picture.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Closer Jeff Hoffman has been added to Team USA’s roster ahead of the semifinal clash, stepping in to replace legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw had agreed to participate in the tournament despite retiring from Major League Baseball after his storied run with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he never appeared during the team’s first five games and was unlikely to pitch in the high-stakes matchup against the Dominican lineup.
Hoffman’s arrival gives the American bullpen another late-inning weapon — and potentially a critical one.
The move also completes an unusual trio for Toronto. All three Blue Jays players who began the tournament on reserve lists have now been called into action for their respective countries. Rogers joined Team USA just in time for the quarterfinal victory over Canada, though he did not pitch, while José Berríos was set to reinforce Puerto Rico before elbow inflammation discovered in an MRI forced him to withdraw.
For Hoffman, the call comes at a fascinating moment in his career.
The 33-year-old reliever has shown encouraging signs during Spring Training, delivering two perfect innings across Grapefruit League appearances. In those outings, Hoffman struck out three hitters without allowing a single base runner, hinting that he may be regaining the form that once made him one of Toronto’s most trusted late-game arms.
That progress carries extra weight given how his 2025 season ended.
Hoffman openly shouldered the blame after a difficult stretch during the World Series, believing his performance played a role in Toronto falling short of a championship. For a veteran pitcher with a decade of MLB experience, moments like that can linger.
The World Baseball Classic now offers a different stage — and possibly a chance to rewrite that narrative.
Team USA’s bullpen is already loaded with power arms, including Mason Miller, David Bednar, and Garret Whitlock. But the relief corps hasn’t been flawless during the tournament. Several pitchers — including Brad Keller, Gabe Speier, Michael Wacha, Ryan Yarbrough, and Matthew Boyd — have experienced uneven outings along the way.
Adding Hoffman gives the coaching staff another reliable option in high-pressure situations.
If the semifinal turns into the tight, late-inning battle many expect, Hoffman could find himself on the mound at a defining moment.
For Team USA, it’s another powerful arm in a stacked bullpen. For the Blue Jays closer, it may represent something just as valuable — a rare opportunity to regain confidence in a meaningful game environment before the MLB season begins.
Spring Training can simulate pressure, but it rarely replicates the intensity of a global tournament knockout game.
And for Jeff Hoffman, the World Baseball Classic might offer exactly the kind of stage he needs.
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