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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson is in trouble
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton / USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays received a boost earlier this week with the return of reliever Erik Swanson, who had been sidelines since the beginning of the season due to a median nerve entrapment.
The veteran pitcher rejoins a bullpen that has, somewhat unexpectedly, emerged as one of the Blue Jays' strengths over the first 60-plus games of the season.
Erik Swanson's role with the Blue Jays revealed.
Graeme Wallace from Blue Jays Nation writes that Swanson is aiming to recapture the form that made him one of the American League's most dependable relievers between 2021 and 2023. However, based on his initial outings since returning, the 31-year-old may still need some time to shake off the rust as he has struggled quite a bit.
"The right-hander made his season debut on June 1st and may have been saddled with the loss if not for being bailed out by his teammates.
He entered the game at the top of the eighth inning with the Jays trailing 3-2, and gave up a leadoff single to A's catcher Willie McIver. A wild pitch and a hit batter followed, and some early command struggles surfaced.
With two runners on and nobody out, Swanson then faced three of the Athletics' best hitters and was able to limit the damage." -Wallace
He entered the game at the top of the eighth inning with the Jays trailing 3-2, and gave up a leadoff single to A's catcher Willie McIver. A wild pitch and a hit batter followed, and some early command struggles surfaced.
With two runners on and nobody out, Swanson then faced three of the Athletics' best hitters and was able to limit the damage." -Wallace
The best approach for both Swanson and the Blue Jays might be for him to gradually settle into a setup role.
The good news is that the bullpen is deep, with Chad Green, Yimi Garcia, rising left-handers Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty, and several injured relievers expected back soon, all providing plenty of reliable options.
"After ERAs of 3.31, 1.68, and 2.97 from '21-23, Swanson's earned run average swelled to 5.03 last season with a minor league stint mixed in when he was struggling to get outs.
It is encouraging to note that he had a 2.61 ERA over the last two months of the season, over 20 2/3 innings of work." -Wallace
It is encouraging to note that he had a 2.61 ERA over the last two months of the season, over 20 2/3 innings of work." -Wallace
At this stage, Swanson might be better utilized in a middle relief or mo-up role while he works his way back into form but with the amount of injuries the bullpen has, they need him to start perfomring
| POLL | ||
JUIN 9 | 1478 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson is in trouble Will veteran reliever Erik Swanson make his return with the Blue Jays before the end of June? | ||
| yes | 1018 | 68.9 % |
| no | 460 | 31.1 % |
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