Jeff Hoffman’s words after Game 7 of the World Series cut as deep as the ninth inning home run he gave up.

“I cost everybody in here a World Series ring… it feels pretty s***,” Hoffman said in the immediate aftermath.

Now, nearly six months later, one has to wonder if the Blue Jays’ closing pitcher has actually been able to shake off that feeling.

Hoffman entered the eighth inning of this past Saturday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with the game knotted at two. He proceeded to allow two singles and a walk, loading the bases with nobody out for Corbin Carroll. The D’Backs outfielder cranked his third home run of the season, a grand slam, to left centre field.

It was the Blue Jays’ 12th loss in 15 games before picking up a consolation win Sunday.

This was on the back of blowing a save despite a two-run lead in his previous outing on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Blue Jays found a way to win that game in the 10th inning, but the struggles have ballooned Hoffman’s ERA to 7.71 through the first three weeks of the season with three blown saves and two losses to his name.

There is far more worry about the 13 hits and six walks he’s surrendered than the 20 strikeouts Hoffman’s racked up through 9.1 innings of work.

Manager John Schneider, though, continues to stand by Hoffman’s side.

“I know there may be people who don’t want to hear this, but I’ve got a lot of trust and confidence in Jeff Hoffman,” Schneider said. “If there’s a situation to close out a game, I’ll take Jeff Hoffman.”

Compounding the worry over Hoffman is the fact that there were already concerns about his role as a closer prior to last year’s playoffs.

Last season, despite 33 saves in 40 opportunities, Hoffman also allowed 15 home runs, which was the second-most in the league only to Washington Nationals rookie Jackson Rutledge.

Then there’s also the one (historic) home run in the playoffs, being the Miguel Rojas-blast that tied Game 7 of the World Series in the ninth inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers went on to win in 11 innings.

This season, many fans have been clamouring for Louis Varland to assume the role, having looked lights out to start this season after winning over fans last year with some electric performances.

Manager Schneider seems to really value being able to use Varland in a variety of situations out of the bullpen, though, and so that move seems highly unlikely. Submariner Tyler Rogers has been tremendous to start this season but he thrives in a setup man role and so is highly unlikely to be moved as well.

With the repeated votes of confidence, it’s probable that the Blue Jays give Hoffman an opportunity to try and turn things around. There has been a lot of money invested in this team, though, and a slow start and a slew of injuries only adds to the pressure to get back on track sooner rather than later.

Another player who made fans sweat last season was pitcher Brendon Little, and after struggling mightily to start this season, was swiftly demoted to Triple-A in the hopes that he can figure some things out.

Hoffman has outstanding stuff, of that there is no doubt. That’s why he has 20 strikeouts in just 9.1 innings of work. He is also looking increasingly erratic and like a man who has no true control of where his pitches are going. That’s a bad recipe.

The Blue Jays are now in Anaheim to play the Angels and wrap up nine-game road trip. They return home on April 24 and fans will be hoping the team improves on its 8-13 record that is currently the worst record in the A.L. East.

With all the injuries that have inflicted the team thus far, they can’t afford having what’s supposed to be one of the most dependable roles be so unpredictable.