Blue Jays' Erik Swanson Leaves Spring Training After Son Was Hit by Car, Hospitalized

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson has temporarily left the team after his four-year-old son was struck by a car Sunday in Clearwater, Florida.

Manager John Schneider told reporters Tuesday that Toby Swanson was airlifted to a nearby hospital and is "on the road to recovery."

"I have two boys that are seven and five and it hits home," he said, per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "Baseball's baseball. So you pray and you hope for the best. And thankfully, that's been the case so far. You realize how quickly things can change. And you don't take things for granted."

The Blue Jays opened spring training on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Swanson has yet to appear in any of their three contests so far.

It's unclear when the 30-year-old is expected to be back. Schneider told reporters he "will be away from the team for a while," which could mean he misses a large chunk or perhaps all of spring training. Opening Day is scheduled for March 28 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Blue Jays acquired Swanson as part of the Teoscar Hernández trade in November 2022. He appeared in 69 games for them in 2023, posting a 2.97 ERA and a 3.51 FIP while striking out 75 batters in 66.2 innings.

Once he's with the team again, Swanson figures to be one of the primary setup men before Schneider hands the ball to closer Jordan Romano in the late innings.