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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays added some intrigue to a quiet offseason last week when they inked reliever Jeff Hoffman to a multi-year contract.