Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs: Jun 21, 2026

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that he's "100 percent confident if [Hoffman] is closing most games," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lauer will earn $4.4 million in 2026 after losing his arbitration hearing with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Palencia will open the season as the team's closer, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

With Daniel Palencia being named Chicago's closer to start the regular season, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, Maton will likely handle a setup role in the early going.