According to MLBTR’s Steve Adams, the Toronto Blue Jays and reliever Erik Swanson have parted ways. The right-hander was designated for assignment last week with the return of Nick Sandlin and Nathan Lukes from the IL, and the club also added reliever Justin Bruihl to the 40-man, with Swanson being the odd man out.
The former Mariners hurler went unclaimed on waivers and had enough service time to reject the assignment to triple-A Buffalo.
Acquired during the 2022/2023 offseason alongside prospect Adam Macko from Seattle, Swanson made an immediate impact for the Blue Jays. In 2023, he posted a 2.97 ERA through a career high 69 appearances and 66 2/3 innings, with a 3.51 FIP and a 1.095 WHIP. Swanson also struck out 75 batters to the tune of a 10.1 K/9.
Blue Jays Release Erik Swanson https://t.co/NtOddnuvfY pic.twitter.com/HiUfyrHJ4h
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 24, 2025
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Last season was a tough year for Swanson, as he missed some time in spring training after his son was involved in a motor vehicle accident and later ended up on the IL to begin the season. Once healthy, he struggled on the mound and was eventually optioned down to triple-A in late May, spending over a month and a half in Buffalo. Once he was back in the Jays’ bullpen, he found his rhythm again to the tune of a 2.55 ERA through 27 outings down the stretch.
This year, Swanson again landed on the IL to begin the campaign. He was recently brought back to the big league squad on June 1st and struggled to keep runs off the board. Through 5 1/3 innings, he allowed eight hits and nine earned runs to score while walking five batters compared to three strikeouts, amassing a 15.19 ERA in the short span.
With Swanson now a free agent, Macko is the lone player remaining from the Teoscar Hernandez deal from a few offseasons ago. The reliever is owed roughly $1.5 million after signing a $3 million deal this past winter, avoiding arbitration. The North Dakota product was slated for free agency this winter.