The Minnesota Twins’ deadline pickup will miss time after undergoing elbow surgery, but the club believes Jeff Hoffman should be back in position for the start of the 2027 season.
Hoffman had right arthroscopic elbow surgery performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The procedure included the removal of a bone chip and a debridement.
The Twins say Hoffman will start a throwing program in eight weeks, which would put him on track to begin throwing in late December. They anticipate he’ll be ready for the beginning of the 2027 season.
Minnesota acquired Hoffman from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 3, sending prospects Dasan Hill, Dameury Pena and John Klein to Toronto in return for the veteran reliever, who is under contract through 2027.
He gave the Twins strong work before the injury hit. In 20 appearances, Hoffman posted a 2.50 ERA and a 2.43 FIP while striking out 27 batters over 18 innings, good for a 13.5 K/9 rate. His last appearance came Sept. 22, and soon after, Minnesota placed him on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation.
The 33-year-old entered this stretch as a pitcher with a track record. He was an All-Star with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, when he turned in a 2.17 ERA and fanned 89 in 66.1 innings. Across Toronto and Minnesota this season, Hoffman went 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA, six saves and 102 strikeouts in 66 innings.
Hoffman is owed $12.67 million in 2027, with the Blue Jays covering $3.75 million of that total as part of the trade, per Baseball Reference. He is scheduled to reach free agency after next season.
This is Hoffman’s second stint with the Twins. Minnesota first signed him as a free agent in February 2023, then released him on March 28 before Opening Day. He signed with Philadelphia three days later.
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