The Orioles nearly handed out their first multiyear contract to a free agent pitcher since 2018, but now that player is a Toronto Blue Jay.

The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever’s pitching shoulder before he finalized a $33 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last week.

In a statement, Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Hoffman will get a chance to close games, the role that Jordan Romano filled for most of the last four seasons.

Jeff Hoffman signed with the Blue Jays, but before that, his deal with the Braves fell through when he failed his physical.

Speaking with the Toronto media on Wednesday, Hoffman said he's not concerned about the shoulder which led to him failing physicals with both the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles.

All-Star reliever and former Phillie Jeff Hoffman and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $33 million, three-year contract.

One of the most sought-after relievers this offseason was Jeff Hoffman, and before signing the Blue Jays, multiple teams passed up on him.

Prior to signing with the Blue Jays, however, Hoffman reached a three-year, $40 million deal with the Orioles, but it fell through due to concerns with Hoffman’s physical, per MLB insider Robert Murray. Hoffman, 32, had his best MLB season with the Phillies in 2024, emerging as one of the league’s top bullpen arms.

The Toronto Blue Jays are officially taking a big risk with free agent reliever Jeff Hoffman. The hard-throwing reliever, who may end up serving as the Blue Ja

The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever's pitching shoulder before he finalized a three-year contract worth $33 million US with the Toronto Blue Jays last week.