Jays' Hoffman: Failed physicals 'big of a surprise to me as anybody'

New Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman downplayed reports Wednesday that his health is cause for concern.

Before inking a three-year, $33-million contract with Toronto, it was widely reported he had deals in place with the Atlanta Braves and the Baltimore Orioles that fell through because of failed physicals.

"All the flags, physical stuff, was as big of a surprise to me as anybody," Hoffman said, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.

"If you can check my kind of track record over the past few seasons, I’ve been as healthy as anybody. It’s a nonissue for me. It’s just something that they wanted to bring up, and the Blue Jays see me for what I am. So I’d rather be in a place like that anyways."

The 32-year-old battled injuries earlier in his career but has enjoyed a clean bill of health since becoming a full-time reliever in 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies. He has made 122 appearances over the past two years.

Baltimore's interest in Hoffman apparently didn't wane after his physical issues. Instead of pulling its offer, the team made a revised proposal to the right-hander based on the risk assessed after viewing the physical results, sources told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.

By that point, however, other teams got back into the sweepstakes, leading to the deal with Toronto. Hoffman, who added the Blue Jays were "in it from the beginning," now believes he has extra motivation to use against the AL East-rival Orioles.

"We can add them to the list, for sure," Hoffman said, according to Sportsnet. "Something I enjoy is finding those edges, and when you go through something like this, there is a little bit of a chip that comes with it."

Hoffman heads to Toronto on the heels of an All-Star campaign with the Phillies. He recorded an impressive 2.17 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with a 12.1 K/9 across 66 1/3 innings pitched.

His Blue Jays deal is actually a reunion. The club drafted him ninth overall in 2014 before trading him to the Colorado Rockies the next year.