Nolan

Hoffman

With Aaron Nola heading to the paternity list, Hoffman will get another opportunity to pitch out of the big league bullpen for at least a couple of days. He holds a 2.70 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and a 2/1 K/BB ratio over 3 1/3 innings in two appearances with the Phillies this season.

Hoffman gave the Phillies 1 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday, but the team will option the 28-year-old to Triple-A with Jonathan Bowlan (groin) ready to come off the injured list.

Hoffman has posted a 2.35 ERA and 14/4 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings at Triple-A. He made his MLB debut last season, allowing three runs on three hits in one inning of work. The 28-year-old has missed plenty of bats at the minor league level, so the Phillies hope that will carry over.

Hoffman, 28, pitched decently during Grapefruit League action — posting a 4.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 10/1 K/BB ratio over 7 1/3 innings. While it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen, it likely positions himself well to be one of the first players to get an opportunity once injury or ineffectiveness eventually strike.

Hoffman made his MLB debut Monday, and while he did close out the game, he also allowed three runs over an inning. He was likely to be sent down, anyway, as José Alvarado was activated off the restricted list after serving his 80-game suspension.

It’s Hoffman’s first time in the majors. The Phillies got the 28-year-old from the Rangers in a minor deal in June, and he had since posted a 3.32 ERA and a 27/11 K/BB in 19 innings for Lehigh Valley. With Jose Alvarado due back from suspension tomorrow, Hoffman’s stay could be a very short one.

Hoffman had a 3.88 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 58 innings for Triple-A Norfolk in Baltimore’s organization last year. There was a chance for him to win a spot in Texas’ bullpen this year, but he instead headed to Triple-A Round Rock, where he has posted a 5.91 ERA. He should serve as organizational depth in Philadelphia

Pennington, 26, did a decent job in 16 appearances at the big league level in 2024 — posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a 17/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings — so it’s a bit surprising to see him sent out so early when there are still unsettled spots in the Rangers’ bullpen. He’ll probably get an opportunity to pitch for the Rangers at some point during the upcoming 2025 season.

Hoffman, 27, was a fifth-round draft choice by the Mariners back in 2018. He spent the last three seasons in the Orioles’ organization, most recently registering a 3.88 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 77/37 K/BB ratio over 58 innings at Triple-A Norfolk in 2024. He’ll add bullpen depth, likely in the upper minors for the Rangers.