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.
Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Activated From Injured List
The Toronto Blue Jays officially activated right-handed relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo and designated right-hander Mitch White for assignment. Romano and Swanson came out of their short minor-league rehab assignments healthy and are ready to make their 2024 debuts with Toronto at the back end of their bullpen. While the 30-year-old Romano could be eased into his regular closer role, fantasy managers should be ready to throw him right into their starting lineups in season-long leagues after he recorded 36 saves in each of the last two seasons for the Blue Jays. Swanson has fantasy appeal as well in holds leagues and as a handcuff to Romano for his late-inning setup role.
Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Likely To Return Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are likely to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Both Romano and Swanson have completed their minor-league rehab assignments and are ready to make their 2024 debuts in the big leagues this week. The Blue Jays could decide to ease the 30-year-old Romano into closing duties when he's back, but he should be rostered already in all fantasy formats. With Romano and Swanson injured, Chad Green has picked up two saves, while Yimi Garcia has one early in the season. Swanson probably isn't going to many save chances in 2024 as long as Romano stays healthy the rest of the way, but he'll be a key late-inning setup man and will have value in fantasy in holds leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson are both close to returning to game action, giving the club their two best relievers back and solidifying the eighth and ninth innings. Both right-handers have been sidelined by elbow issues as Romano said before Sunday's 5-0 win over the Rockies that he's feeling good after throwing 2/3 of an inning at Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday and doesn't feel that he needs a third rehab outing before returning to the club's bullpen. Swanson has pronounced himself ready for a return after pitching for Buffalo on Thursday and Saturday. Of course, Romano is a big-time asset to fantasy managers upon his return with 72 saves over the last two seasons while Swanson is valued in leagues that reward holds with 29 of those last season alongside his 2.97 ERA.
Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson To Pitch In Minor League Game Saturday
Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are slated to pitch in Triple-A Buffalo's doubleheader tomorrow. Both pitchers struggled some in their most recent rehab appearance on Thursday and will look to improve on those outings. Should the outings go well, both relievers have a chance to join the Blue Jays roster and be taken off the injured list. Swanson's value as a setup man may carry more value to the Blue Jays than to fantasy managers. However, Romano should be rostered in all leagues with his return being close.
Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Expected To Pitch Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are both expected to pitch on Thursday with Triple-A Buffalo, and they should both be active soon after that as long as they don't suffer setbacks. Romano dealt with right-elbow inflammation in spring training and began the year on the injured list, but he's close to being ready to make his 2024 debut as Toronto's closer. Swanson is another key late-inning arm for the Blue Jays and should be one of the team's top setup men in front of Romano in the ninth inning again this year. Chad Green has been filling in as the team's closer with Romano and Swanson sidelined, but he'll go back to a setup role once Romano is activated. The 30-year-old Romano needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues with his return imminent.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday, throwing one clean inning for Single-A Dunedin. Swanson struck out two batters and threw 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. Once Swanson gets one or two more appearances under his belt, he'll be ready to return to Toronto's bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander had his spring training cut short after two appearances due to inflammation in his right elbow, but he should be activated from the 10-day injured list in mid-April. If he's available before star closer Jordan Romano (elbow), Swanson could be thrust into high-leverage situations right off the bat after earning a 2.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 75:21 K:BB over 66 innings a year ago. In the meantime, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia will form a committee for ninth-inning work for the Jays and remain worth holding in most fantasy leagues.
Erik Swanson
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Blue Jays
