Erik

Swanson

Swanson, 32, excelled out of the pen for the Mariners in 2022 and the Blue Jays in 2023, posting a 2.39 ERA and a 145/31 K/BB in 120 1/3 innings over the two seasons, but he began 2024 on the shelf with elbow troubles and he just hadn’t been the same since. He had a 5.03 ERA in 45 appearances a year ago, and he gave up nine runs in 5 1/3 innings last season before being released by the Jays. In all, he got to pitch just 266 major league innings after debuting at age 25, finishing with a 4.20 ERA.

Swanson went unclaimed on waivers last week after being jettisoned from Toronto’s 40-man roster. The 31-year-old righty allowed a whopping nine runs over 5 1/3 innings (six appearances) this season to lose his spot in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. He’ll search for a new opportunity on the free agent market.

Swanson just hasn’t shown his old form since hurting his elbow in the spring of 2024, and the Jays considered non-tendering him in November after his 5.03 ERA in 39 1/3 innings last season. He spent the first two months of this season back on the shelf with another elbow issue, and he had given up nine runs and struck out just three in 5 1/3 innings since returning on June 1.

Swanson is back in Toronto’s bullpen after missing the first two months of the season recovering from nerve irritation in his right elbow. The 31-year-old figures to pitch in middle relief, but has plenty of experience in high-leverage spots.

Swanson’s early rehab appearances at the beginning of the month did not go well, but he’s gone without allowing a run his last five times out. He’ll probably come off the 60-day IL this weekend.

Swanson will begin his rehab assignment at the lowest level as the Blue Jays work the right-hander back into game shape. He’s missed all of 2025, but should be a high-leverage bullpen option in the summer months if there are no setbacks.

Swanson recently had a setback with his sore elbow, but an MRI failed to show any structural damage. He’ll be eligible to return during the final week of May, but it’s unclear if that’s realistic or not.

Swanson experienced some forearm soreness prior to Tuesday’s minor league rehab outing for Low-A Dunedin. The Blue Jays aren’t going to take any chances here so he’s flying back to Toronto to be re-evaluated.

It’ll be the first time that Swanson appears in a live game situation since landing on the injured list at the end of spring training. If all goes well with that session, he’ll be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old hurler will make four or five appearances on his rehab assignment before he’s deemed ready to rejoin the Blue Jays’ bullpen.

Swanson has been on the IL since the end of the spring. He’ll need a rehab assignment, but he could return during the final week of April.