Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) threw his first bullpen session on Friday since receiving a cortisone injection. Swanson opened the campaign on the 15-day injured list due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm. While he is still several weeks away from a return, this is a good sign to see him throwing on the mound. Last season, Swanson was only able to log 39 1/3 innings of work and held a high 5.03 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP. However, during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, Swanson was a valuable high-leverage option in the bullpen. In 2022, Swanson enjoyed a career season, posting a stellar 1.68 ERA and 0.90 WHIP while tallying 14 holds. In 2023, Swanson tallied 29 holds across 66 2/3 innings of work. When healthy, he will be a viable target in leagues that reward holds.
Erik Swanson Diagnosed With "Median Nerve Entrapment"
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson (forearm) has been diagnosed with a "median nerve entrapment" in his right forearm. His MRI exam showed no structural damage, but he received a cortisone injection and will back off from throwing for a couple of days. There's no timetable for when the 31-year-old veteran will be cleared to pitch in games again, but all things considered, it's positive news. He is fully expected to begin the regular season on the injured list, but perhaps Swanson will be able to make his 2025 debut at some point in April if he can resume throwing sooner than later. Swanson had a disappointing 5.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 39 1/3 relief innings in 2024 in his second year in Toronto and was even sent to the minors for a bit. He had a 2.60 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with eight saves in three prior seasons, though, so if he can get healthy, he could easily bounce back as a late-inning setup man for Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (elbow, forearm), who has been dealing with elbow and forearm discomfort in camp, has an in-person meeting with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Thursday. Manager John Schneider said Swanson is going to see Meister due to the issues "being a little bit of a recurring theme. Wanting to nail down exactly what's going on and get that opinion on it." The team will have more information on Swanson later this week, but as things currently stand, it would be a surprise if the 31-year-old veteran was ready or Opening Day in a few weeks. Swanson was sent to the minors at one point last season and finished with an ugly 5.03 ERA (6.06 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, 37 strikeouts and 14 walks in 39 1/3 relief innings for Toronto in his second season with the team. He should be able to rebound in 2025, but he's going to need to get healthy first.
Erik Swanson Likely To Open The Season On Injured List
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) will likely open the season on the injured list. Swanson felt discomfort in his right elbow after throwing a bullpen and is set to undergo an MRI. Even though the team is still waiting for the results, the reliever is expected to open the season on the IL. Last season, Swanson posted a 5.03 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings of work. He tallied just 37 punchouts and served up walks at a modest 8.3 percent rate. However, during the 2023 campaign, Swanson was a dominant piece in the Toronto bullpen as he held a 2.97 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Across 66 2/3 innings, he tallied 75 punchouts and earned a career-high 29 holds while operating as the primary setup man. While Swanson is sidelined early in the campaign, fantasy managers should expect Yimi Garcia and Chad Green to be the setup options while Jeff Hoffman sees most of the save opportunities.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) threw 10 pitches off the mound earlier this week. Swanson is recovering from right forearm fatigue and is slightly behind schedule. However, seeing him return to the mound is a promising sign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout spring training. Last season, the 31-year-old posted a high 5.03 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings. He tallied just 37 strikeouts and served up walks at a modest 8.3 percent rate. However, Swanson was an effective high-leverage option during the 2023 campaign, holding a 2.97 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 66 2/3 innings. He tallied a strong 75 punchouts with just 21 free passes. If healthy, fantasy managers should expect Swanson to have a high-leverage role in 2025 and would be a viable target in holds leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson (forearm) experienced right-forearm fatigue last month and is "going to be a little bit behind" in spring training, according to manager John Schneider. Swanson is currently throwing at 120 feet, though, and still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 31-year-old struggled early on in 2024 and was sent to the minors briefly. Overall, the former Seattle Mariners hurler posted an elevated 5.03 ERA (6.06 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, nine holds and 14 walks in 39 1/3 innings over 45 relief appearances in his second year in Toronto. Swanson averaged a 31% strikeout rate and solid 6.6% walk rate the previous two seasons, so there is bounce-back potential for him in 2025 if he's healthy. He's unlikely to see save chances if both Jeff Hoffman and Chad Green are healthy, but he should once again be in line to pick up some holds.
Relief pitcher Erik Swanson and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Swanson struggled last season as he posted a rough 5.03 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 39 1/3 frames. In 2023, Swanson was one of the top options in the Toronto bullpen, and carried a strong 2.97 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. This past summer, Swanson saw his hard-hit rate jump up ten points and barrel rate double compared to his 2023 production. In addition, he saw his K rate drop by six points. Even though he struggled in 2024, fantasy managers in holds leagues should consider targeting Swanson late in drafts this offseason, as he will likely return to his typical eighth-inning role.
The Toronto Blue Jays activated right-hander Yimi Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned pitcher Zach Pop to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. The Blue Jays also recalled right-hander Erik Swanson from Buffalo. Garcia will return to Toronto's bullpen after being sidelined since the middle of June with right-elbow neuritis, and the 33-year-old veteran also had a setback along the way due to some neck stiffness while on his minor-league rehab assignment. Now that he's back, Garcia should have a chance for saves with regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) potentially out for the rest of the season. Garcia's primary competition for saves will be veteran right-hander Chad Green. Swanson had an ERA north of 9.00 in 17 appearances out of Toronto's bullpen earlier this year and struggled initially at Buffalo, but he's back in the bigs now and could become an option for fantasy managers in holds leagues by the end of the year.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (illness) was removed while warming up to pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday due to "heat-related illness symptoms." However, it's considered a minor issue and he's day-to-day. Swanson's last two outings for the Bisons have been strong, and the Blue Jays have considering calling him up to the majors in the near-term. The 30-year-old was sent to the minors earlier this year after allowing 14 earned runs on 20 hits (five homers) while striking out 10 and walking four in just 13 2/3 innings in Toronto. He was just as bad early on with Buffalo but has looked better of late and looks likely to get another shot in the big-league bullpen either just before the All-Star break or just after it.
Blue Jays Reinstate Chad Green, Option Erik Swanson To Triple-A
The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated right-hander Chad Green (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Erik Swanson to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Green will be available out of the bullpen for Toronto for Tuesday night's game in Chicago against the White Sox for the first time since being put on the injured list in mid-April with a right-shoulder strain. The 33-year-old veteran tossed three scoreless innings on a minor-league rehab start with Buffalo and should be ready to immediately jump into his late-inning setup role in front of closer Jordan Romano. Green is valuable in holds leagues and as a handcuff to Romano. Swanson has come apart in 2024 and will look for answers on the farm. The 30-year-old has allowed 14 earned runs on 20 hits (five homers) while walking four and fanning 10 in 13 2/3 relief innings in 2024.
Erik Swanson
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