Trending Now - Team USA Enhances Roster With Blue Jays' Closer Hoffman
WHO:
Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays closer, has been added to Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster.
Clayton Kershaw, three-time NL Cy Young winner, will remain with Team USA in a cheering capacity after coming out of retirement to participate in the Classic.
Joe Ryan, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
Derek Shelton, Twins Manager
Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays closer
Clayton Kershaw, retired pitcher, Team USA member
WHAT:
Hoffman finished the 2025 MLB season with 33 saves and a 4.37 ERA, appearing in an MLB-best 59 games for Toronto.
Team USA defeated Canada to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on March 13, 2026.
Joe Ryan will not pitch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Ryan is expected to start on Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins.
Ryan missed 17 days due to lower back inflammation.
Ryan has made only one game appearance in Spring Training.
Team USA chose to go with Jeff Hoffman instead of Ryan for the World Baseball Classic.
Jeff Hoffman finished the 2025 MLB season with a 4.37 ERA, 33 saves, and a 9-7 record.
WHERE:
Fort Myers, Florida, where the Twins are conducting Spring Training.
Miami, Florida, where Team USA is playing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinal.
WHEN:
Team USA's semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
March 14, 2026, when Derek Shelton made a statement about Ryan.
March 18, 2026, the Twins' scheduled off-day.
March 26, 2026, the date of the Twins' season opener in Baltimore.
February 21, 2026, when Ryan suffered back inflammation before his first scheduled Grapefruit League start.
March 15, 2026, the date of the semifinal matchup between Team USA and the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. ET.
WHY:
The U.S. team chose to add Hoffman to the roster due to the need for a true reliever, as Joe Ryan was not available for the semifinal.
Ryan wanted to pitch for Team USA, and the Twins supported him, but timing complications arose due to his back injury.
HOW:
Ryan threw a bullpen session on March 14, 2026, but was informed that Team USA was going in a different direction regarding their pitching roster.
Ryan threw a bullpen session on March 14, 2026, in hopes of participating in the World Baseball Classic.
The Twins set up Ryan's pitching schedule to accommodate his desire to play in the Classic.
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 17:03 UTC)
In a significant update for Team USA, Jeff Hoffman, the Toronto Blue Jays closer who finished the 2025 MLB season with 33 saves, has been added to the World Baseball Classic roster, while three-time NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw will remain involved in a cheering capacity after coming out of retirement. Team USA recently defeated Canada to secure their spot in the semifinals, where they will face the Dominican Republic tonight at 8 p.m. ET, following the decision to bring Hoffman on board due to Joe Ryan's unavailability after a bullpen session yesterday.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 05:30 UTC)
In a recent announcement, Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed that pitcher Joe Ryan will not participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to complications from a lower back injury, despite his desire to play for Team USA. Instead, Team USA has opted for Jeff Hoffman, who finished the 2025 MLB season with a 4.37 ERA and 33 saves, as they prepare to face the Dominican Republic in the semifinals tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Ryan, who is expected to start on Opening Day for the Twins, has only made one appearance in Spring Training after missing 17 days due to his injury.