Four spring trainings ago, the Twins had right-hander Jeff Hoffman in camp on a minor-league contract. Dropped by the Reds after missing the second half of the 2022 season with an elbow injury, he was a 30-year-old reclamation project with a career 5.68 ERA trying to win a spot in the Twins' bullpen for 2023.
Twins officials liked Hoffman, talking up his potential to be a late-inning reliever, but there were questions about his health and whether he'd have enough time to be ready by Opening Day. He pitched well in a handful of spring games, but didn't make the team and exercised an opt-out clause to become a free agent.