Blue Jays release relief pitcher Swanson after he clears waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays have made a roster move, releasing reliever Erik Swanson after he cleared waivers. Swanson, who was designated for assignment last week, struggled this season with a 15.19 earned-run average over six appearances. The 31-year-old right-hander from Fargo, N.D., had been dealing with nerve and forearm issues earlier in the year, which affected his performance on the mound.
Swanson was part of a trade that brought him and pitching prospect Adam Macko to the Blue Jays from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Teoscar Hernandez in November 2022. While Swanson was a reliable option for the Blue Jays in 2023, his ERA increased to 5.03 last season.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider described the decision to release Swanson as a tough one, acknowledging the pitcher’s contributions to the team over the past few years. Swanson made his MLB debut with the Mariners in 2019 and had a standout season in 2022, posting a 3-2 record with a 1.68 ERA in 57 appearances.
In other baseball news, veteran right-hander Noah Syndergaard is looking to make a comeback with the Chicago White Sox after signing a minor league deal with the team. The 32-year-old, known as “Thor” for his imposing stature and long blonde hair, last pitched in the majors in 2023 for the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Syndergaard was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 draft before debuting with the New York Mets in 2015. He has had a successful career, including a World Series start in his rookie season and an all-star selection in 2016. Injuries have hampered his progress, but Syndergaard boasts a 59-47 record with a 3.71 ERA over eight seasons in the major leagues.
As Syndergaard reports to the White Sox’s spring complex in Glendale, Ariz., fans will be eager to see if he can regain his form and contribute to the team’s pitching staff.