Hoffman is expected to open the season as the Reds' fourth starter, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman probably won't make many turns in the rotation, as it took injuries to Sonny Gray (back), Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) and Tejay Antone (hip) for him to earn a starting role. He's an interesting streaming candidate in the first week of the season, as he'll face the Pirates in his first start, but he's tough to roster in most leagues. His 6.40 ERA in 230.2 career major-league innings is quite poor even when accounting for the fact that he called Coors Field home.

Hoffman pitched five innings in Tuesday's start against the Padres, allowing three runs (all in the first inning) while retiring 12 of his last 13 batters, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nightengale suggests that Hoffman has a good chance of winning a spot in the Reds' rotation to begin the season, ahead of teammate Jose De Leon. The Reds like what Tejay Antone can do out of the bullpen, and Sonny Gray is likely to begin the season on the IL, so there are spots to be won.

Hoffman is out of options heading into the 2021 season, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. He is competing for a roster spot, nominally as a starter but potentially as a reliever, after arriving from Colorado in a trade for Robert Stephenson in November.

EDGE Analysis

As Rosecrans reports, Hoffman is the type of pitcher that the Reds like to target, with his fastball spin (83rd percentile) and curve spin (55th percentile) above average. That hasn't yet translated to good results, but the change of scenery could help.

Hoffman was traded from the Rockies to the Reds on Wednesday in exchange for Robert Stephenson and Jameson Hannah, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rockies, but he was never able to generate much major-league production. The right-hander transitioned to a bullpen role in 2020, but he continued to struggle, posting a 9.28 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 21.1 innings. It's unclear whether he'll remain a reliever with his new club or whether he'll move back to the rotation.

Hoffman earned the save Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after walking one and striking out one in one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The Rockies entered the ninth with a five-run lead, but neither Tyler Kinley nor Jairo Diaz got the job done so manager Bud Black called Jeff Hoffman to shut the door on the Diamondbacks. With two outs and two runners on, Hoffman walked Eduardo Escobar and struck out Nick Ahmed to earn his first save of the season. Hoffman should gain confidence following this outing, as he had allowed runs in three of his previous four appearances out of the bullpen, though Daniel Bard still looks like the primary closer.

Hoffman (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Mariners. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across three scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman has made two appearances off the bullpen this season, tossing scoreless outings and earning the win in both. He should remain in a long relief role after missing out on a rotation spot, but this was his first appearance since Aug. 3 -- he could be in line for more regular role if he keeps pitching like this.

Hoffman is expected to remain in the bullpen after the Rockies announced Chi Chi Gonzalez as their fifth starter Sunday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Due to a pair of early season off days, the Rockies haven't required a fifth starter until Monday's series opener against the Giants, so manager Bud Black waited until more than a week into the campaign to formally round out his rotation. The competition between Gonzalez and Hoffman for the final starting job was said to be close in summer camp, so the former likely won't have much margin for error as he prepares for his first outing of 2020. Expect Hoffman to work in long relief unless an opening in the rotation arises.

Hoffman tossed three scoreless innings Wednesday in his most recent intrasquad appearance, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman struck out three over the 44-pitch outing, scattering two walks and one hit. Before spring training was cancelled in mid-March, Hoffman had been locked in a tight battle with Chi Chi Gonzalez for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, and it appears neither pitcher has ceded any ground in the competition during summer camp. Like Hoffman, Gonzalez also worked three scoreless innings Wednesday, so the final starting role could hinge on how the two fare in their last outing of summer camp this week. Due to a pair of off days early in the season, the Rockies could get by with a four-man rotation until Aug. 3, so both Hoffman and Gonzalez may open the campaign in bullpen roles.

Hoffman was in a tight race with Chi Chi Gonzalez for the fifth starter's spot prior to the shutdown, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He threw four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a minor-league game in his most recent appearance of the spring, but he has given up seven runs (four earned) while striking out four in 5.2 innings against big-leaguers this spring. Hoffman has had some success by removing his changeup from his arsenal and focusing on using just his fastball and curveball, although that two-pitch mix would work better in the bullpen than in the rotation. Harding speculates that Gonzalez is the slight favorite while Ubaldo Jimenez is a dark horse candidate.

Hoffman will start Saturday in the Rockies' Cactus League opener versus the Diamondbacks, Nick Groke of The Athleticreports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old struggled to produce attractive stats in his fourth big-league season in Colorado, recording a 6.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 68:34 K:BB across 70 innings. Hoffman enters spring training in a competition with Chi Chi Gonzalez, Antonio Senzatela and Peter Lambert to fill two spots near the bottom of the Rockies' starting rotation and could find himself in long-relief bullpen role or returning to the minors to begin his 2020 campaign.