Toronto Blue Jays plan on using multiple pitchers as their closers this season

Feb 14, 2026 (7:41 PM)

Photo credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Forget the rotation and the lineup—the real war in Dunedin is happening in the bullpen, and nobody’s job is safe.

While we’ve been obsessing over the rotation surplus, a "true competition" is brewing in the relief corps that could define the season.

Manager John Schneider has made it clear: past performance guarantees nothing for 2026.

Jeff Hoffman (Signed as Free Agent) enters camp as the presumptive closer, but his inconsistent 2025 finish left the door cracked open.

He led the majors in games finished but also gave up 15 home runs—a terrifying number for a 9th-inning guy.

Behind him, it’s a total free-for-all.

Louis Varland and sidewinder Tyler Rogers seem like locks, but after that, it gets wild.

Veterans like Yimi Garcia are back from injury and hungry to reclaim high-leverage innings.

Then you have the young guns like Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty who earned their stripes in the playoffs.

Here is where it gets spicy: the rotation overflow is going to spill directly into the bullpen.

If José Berrios or Cody Ponce (Acquired via Free Agency) miss out on a starting spot, they don't just disappear.

They become expensive, overqualified multi-inning weapons that could push a guy like Brendon Little off the roster entirely.

This depth is a luxury, but it creates a ruthless environment where one bad outing could mean a ticket to Buffalo.

Schneider needs guys who can miss bats, not just eat innings.

The leash will be incredibly short because the AL East doesn't forgive a leaky bullpen in April.

We are about to see seasoned vets fighting for their lives against rookies with electric stuff.

Grab your popcorn, because these intra-squad games are going to have playoff intensity.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

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