Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Struggles in season debut
Rotowire
Swanson (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.
Jordan Romano had pitched Tuesday, Yimi Garcia had worked three of the past four days and Chad Green was unavailable due to shoulder soreness, so Swanson was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth in his 2024 debut. The right-hander gave up a leadoff homer to Giancarlo Stanton followed by two more hits. Swanson would coax a groundout from Oswaldo Cabrera before he was replaced by Tim Mayza, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Swanson pitched to a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 75:12 K:BB across 66.2 innings last season, and while the Blue Jays likely would have preferred not to thrust him into a high-leverage spot so soon after his return from a forearm issue, he would have been in the late-inning mix eventually.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Rejoins Toronto bullpen
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Swanson (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Swanson got a late start to the season because of right forearm inflammation but has been cleared to return following three rehab appearances. He is in line for a setup role in the Blue Jays' bullpen, although it's possible he'll be eased back into high-leverage situations.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Expected back Tuesday
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) is likely to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been out all season with right forearm inflammation but is ready to roll after making three rehab appearances. He will be in line for setup duties ahead of closer Jordan Romano (elbow), who is also on track for activation Tuesday.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Return from IL imminent
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) has pronounced himself ready to go after pitching with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday and Saturday, Mike Wilner of The Toronto Star reports.
The Blue Jays have been getting by with Chad Green and Yimi Garcia at the back end of the bullpen so far, but they're getting reinforcements back this week with Swanson and Jordan Romano. We'll see how quickly they get inserted into high-leverage roles.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Beginning assignment Sunday
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Dunedin on Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been sidelined due to forearm tightness since mid-March. He will enter Sunday's game for Dunedin to relieve Alek Manoah (shoulder), who will also be making his first rehab appearance Sunday. It's unclear how many games the Jays want Swanson to pitch in the minor leagues, but he will be eligible to return starting Tuesday.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Throws live batting practice
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It's the next step for Swanson as he works his way back from right forearm tightness. A rehab assignment would appear imminent, although it's not yet clear when exactly that will happen. Swanson is eligible for activation April 9.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Throws another BP session
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Swanson (forearm) threw another bullpen session Monday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Swanson opened the season on the 15-day injured list due to forearm tightness. He threw off the mound Saturday, and Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted that Monday's follow-up session went well. Swanson appears to be trending towards a minimum stay on the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Swanson felt "really good" after his session Saturday, and the right-hander will likely throw another bullpen before progressing to facing live hitters. Swanson has been battling forearm inflammation since mid-March but seems to be trending toward a short stay on the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Goes on IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Though he's beginning the season on the IL, Swanson isn't expected to be facing a long-term absence while he recovers from right forearm inflammation. With Swanson joining closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on the IL, the Blue Jays are expected to turn to Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza to handle most of the higher-leverage innings early in the season.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Bound for IL
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Wednesday that Swanson (forearm) will begin the season on the injured list, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It's confirmation of what had been expected, though an official IL move is still pending. Swanson has been throwing on flat ground as he works his way back from right forearm tightness, and a return to mound work is expected soon. With both Swanson and Jordan Romano (elbow) out, the Blue Jays are expected to use a committee at closer to start the season. Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza seem to be the most likely candidates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Swanson (forearm) will likely begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Toronto appears set to head into Opening Day without its top setup man in Swanson and its closer in Jordan Romano, who is unlikely to be available for the first couple weeks of the season while building back up from an elbow injury. Swanson seems to be in a similar spot to Romano in his recovery from a right forearm tightness, as the former has been able to play catch in recent days and is expected to resume throwing off a mound around the middle of the week. If Swanson is able to throw multiple bullpen and live batting practice sessions without issue, he could head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before joining the Toronto bullpen when or shortly after he's eligible to come off the IL on April 9. While Swanson and Romano are both temporarily out of the Blue Jays' bullpen mix, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza could be candidates to pick up saves.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Plays catch again
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) played catch again Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The right-hander has played catch two days in a row after a brief shutdown period with forearm tightness. The Blue Jays' intention is wait until the end of camp before deciding whether Swanson will be part of the Opening Day roster or need a stay on the injured list.
Swanson (forearm) played catch Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson "felt great" during the session, per Blue Jays manager John Schneider. More should be known within the next few days as to whether Swanson will be able to avoid a stint on the injured list to start the season, but he took a nice step Thursday.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Battling forearm tightness
Rotowire
Swanson will be shut down from throwing for a day or two due to right forearm tightness, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
An MRI showed no structural damage or even inflammation, so the hope is that Swanson can ramp things back up after a day or two of rest. For now, consider the setup man day-to-day. The back-end of the Blue Jays' bullpen is suddenly in flux, as Jordan Romano (elbow) is also banged up.
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Returns to Blue Jays' camp
Rotowire
Swanson (personal) has returned to Blue Jays' camp, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
Swanson was away for a few days after his son, Toby, was struck by an SUV on Sunday in Florida. Most importantly, this means Toby's condition is improving. Secondarily, Swanson can now resume his throwing program and has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Away from camp
Rotowire
Manager John Schnieder said Tuesday that Swanson stepped away from the team in order to be with his family, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Swanson's four-year-old son was struck by a car over the weekend, and the veteran pitcher will understandably prioritize his family for the immediate future.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Gets $2.75 million
Rotowire
Swanson agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson was an excellent setup man for closer Jordan Romano in his first year with the Blue Jays after getting traded from Seattle. Swanson had a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, four wins and four saves in 66.2 innings.
