When asked about right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he's "100 percent confident if he's closing most games," according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. General manager Ross Atkins said in November that the Blue Jays weren't committed to using Hoffman as their primary closer in 2026 after he struggled in late-game situations in 2025. The 33-year-old veteran had a career-high 33 saves, but he also had a 4.37 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 68 innings during the regular season, and he famously blew Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hoffman should see most of the team's save chances to open the season, but both Yimi Garcia (elbow) and Louis Varland are options to save games if Hoffman struggles. He'll be on a much shorter leash in 2026.

Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow) said he will throw his seventh bullpen session on Tuesday in his rehab from an internal-brace procedure last June, and he's still aiming for a return in May, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. Bradford's bullpen on Tuesday will be his first that isn't limited to fastballs. The 27-year-old will try eight to 10 changeups. The 27-year-old southpaw pitched well in 2024, going 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 76 1/3 innings over his 14 appearances (13 starts). Bradford doesn't blow hitters away, but he has strong command and has shown a knack for keeping batters off balance. Because his command could struggle upon his return in 2026 after a long layoff, it's hard to get behind him in single-league formats this year. The Rangers will most definitely ease Bradford back in, too. At best, he's a bench stash in AL-only leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (forearm) will open the 2026 season on the injured list, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Bieber is dealing with right-forearm fatigue and will have his ramp-up during spring training delayed past Opening Day. Manager John Schneider said Bieber is feeling good and is playing catch, but he's week-to-week and won't start the season on time. The 30-year-old still hasn't recovered from the extra workload he took on last fall during the team's run to the World Series. Bieber pitched well in the postseason, but he made five appearances after making seven starts for Toronto in the regular season in his return from Tommy John surgery. He pitched well in his return and showed an increase in his velocity, but this is a reminder that Bieber carries significant injury risk.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that right-hander Bowden Francis (elbow) will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing UCL reconstruction, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Francis also missed time last year with a right-shoulder impingement and was limited to 64 innings over 14 starts during the regular season. The 29-year-old posted a career-worst 6.05 ERA (6.85 FIP) and 1.53 WHIP while striking out 54 and walking 27 in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues with the Jays. His strong 2024 campaign was aided by a .211 BABIP and 78.3 left-on-base percentage, but his split-finger fastball did prove to be a pretty nasty pitch. Francis was much easier to hit last year and allowed 19 home runs in just 64 innings of work. The former seventh-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 now faces a lengthy recovery.