Swanson (forearm) is expected to begin facing live hitters within the next several days, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been throwing bullpens without any issues for about a week, and the Blue Jays are now comfortable advancing him to live batting practice. Once he gets through a few rounds of BP, he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment with one of Toronto's minor-league affiliates.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Throwing bullpen session
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Swanson (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he was given a cortisone injection to combat carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm. There's no timetable yet for Swanson's return, but he's making progress.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Lands on IL
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The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Swanson is working his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. He was cleared to resume his throwing program last week, but he'll likely need at least a couple of weeks to fully ramp up and complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. Once healthy, Swanson projects to serve as a setup arm or middle-innings option in the Toronto bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Resumes throwing program
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) resumed a throwing program Wednesday and "felt good," per Blue Jays manager John Schneider, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
It's the beginning of what will be a deliberate ramp-up as Swanson works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. The right-handed reliever will begin the season on the 15-day injured list and should be expected to miss at least the first month or so of the season.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Has nerve issue in forearm
Rotowire
Swanson has been diagnosed with a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Swanson has had recurring issues with his forearm/elbow and now there's an explanation as to what's going on. All things considered, the diagnosis could be worse, although it's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games again. For now, Swanson will be shut down from throwing for at least a couple days. He is expected to begin the season on the 15-day injured list.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Meeting with doctor Thursday
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm/elbow) will meet with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been slowed by forearm and elbow issues this spring. Blue Jays manager John Schneider referred to Swanson's arm issues as "a little bit of a recurring theme," and the goal with Thursday's exam is to "nail down exactly what's going on." More clarity on Swanson's situation is anticipated after Thursday's meeting, but the reliever is expected to begin the season on the injured list regardless of what comes out of the exam.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: IL stint likely
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) is expected to begin the season on the injured list after he experienced right elbow discomfort after a bullpen session this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays are awaiting the results of an MRI, which could provide some clarity on how long the 31-year-old will be sidelined. After operating as a reliable high-leverage reliever from 2021 to 2023, Swanson struggled to a 5.03 ERA across 45 appearances last season.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Swanson (forearm) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Swanson is a little behind at the beginning of camp due to right forearm fatigue. He was never totally shut down though, and now that he's progressed to mound work, he could build up quickly. Swanson is on track to be ready for Opening Day, and while he's coming off a rough 2024 campaign, the right-hander is out of minor-league options and should have a spot in the Blue Jays' big-league bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Nursing forearm fatigue
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Swanson will be "a little behind" due to right forearm fatigue, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The club is proceeding cautiously with the reliever early on in camp, but Schneider believes that Swanson will have enough time to be ready for Opening Day. Swanson struggled in 2024 with a 5.03 ERA and 37:14 K:BB while allowing 11 home runs over 39.1 innings. However, if healthy, his track record (2.39 ERA, 31 percent strikeout rate from 2022 to 2023) suggests a bounce-back season should be in store.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Rejoins major-league roster
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Swanson's first 12 appearances at Buffalo didn't go well, as he was tagged for 22 runs (17 earned) over 10 innings. He had been better lately though, yielding two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 frames. Swanson likely won't see high-leverage work right away, but he could find himself in a prominent role if the Blue Jays ship out relievers like Yimi Garcia and Trevor Richards before the trade deadline.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Could be recalled soon
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The Blue Jays are considering recalling Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo soon, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson was pulled from his most recent appearance with Buffalo this past Thursday due to a heat-related illness, but he's expected to be fine. The reliever was dreadful in his first 12 appearances with Buffalo after being sent down May 28, posting a 15.30 ERA and 11:12 K:BB. However, he's turned in consecutive scoreless outings, and his improved form of late seems to have convinced the Blue Jays that he's ready to help out the big-league bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Collects fifth hold
Rotowire
Swanson gave up a run on two hits in one-third of an inning Monday to record his fifth hold of the season in a 5-1 win over the White Sox.
The right-hander served up a solo shot to Gavin Sheets, the fifth homer Swanson has given up in only 13.2 innings this season. He still carries a 9.22 ERA, but most of that damage came early in the season -- over his last nine appearances, Swanson has a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings. Monday's hold was his first in May, and he appears to be close to regaining a regular spot in the Blue Jays' high-leverage crew.
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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
Rotowire
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: 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: Throws another BP session
Rotowire
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: 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.
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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.
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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.
