Blue Jays: Erik Swanson announces retirement

Swanson was drafted in the 2014 draft by the Texas Rangers, but never suited up with them as he was traded alongside Dillon Tate to the Yankees for Carlos Beltrán. Swanson didn’t pitch for the Yankees either, as he was traded to the Seattle Mariners two years later for James Paxton.

In 2019, Swanson made his big league debut, posting a 5.74 ERA and 5.96 FIP in 58 innings pitched, starting eight of the 27 games he appeared in. Swanson had a rough 2020 season as well, appearing in nine games where he had a 12.91 ERA and 7.50 FIP in 7.2 innings pitched.

The 2021 season was Swanson’s first good season in the big leagues, appearing in 33 games where he had a 3.31 ERA and 3.96 FIP in 35.1 innings pitched. Swanson’s best season of his career was in 2022, as he had a 1.68 ERA and 1.85 FIP in 53.2 innings pitched, with a 34 K% and 4.9 BB%.

In the off-season, Swanson was traded alongside prospect Adam Macko to the Blue Jays in exchange for Teoscar Hernández, a trade that occurred just over three years ago. Swanson had a strong 2023 season, authoring a 2.97 ERA and 3.51 FIP in 66.2 innings pitched, with a 28.6 K% and 8 BB%.

Swanson started the 2024 season on the Injured List and struggled upon returning to a tune of a 9.20 ERA and 7.94 FIP in 14.2 innings pitched. The North Dakotan native was optioned twice, and upon his third tenure with the Jays in 2024, he had a 2.55 ERA and 4.95 FIP in 24.2 innings pitched, a much more encouraging sign.

Unfortunately, Swanson missed the start of the 2025 season due to injury, only returning to the Blue Jays in June. Upon his return, he had a 15.19 ERA and 10.26 FIP in five and one-third innings, giving up more walks than strikeouts, as well as two home runs. On Jun. 17, he was designated for assignment and released a week later, essentially ending his career.

At 32 years old, it’s a sad end to the right-handed pitcher’s career as awful luck derailed his career. That said, hopefully, he can find happiness in retirement.