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Erik Swanson considered day-to-day after departing recent triple-A outing with heat-related illness

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Thomas Hall | Last updated Jul 10, 2024 3:30 PM ET

An unusual scene unfolded Tuesday night for the Buffalo Bisons, as right-hander Erik Swanson departed moments before he was about to enter the contest to begin the bottom of the eighth inning.

Swanson entered out of the bullpen and began warming up on the mound before being removed with what the club now describes as heat-related illness symptoms, Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported Wednesday. Luis Quinones was called upon as his replacement to pitch the eighth against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs — the Philadelphia Phillies’ triple-A affiliate.

According to Zwelling, Swanson is currently considered day-to-day with what the Bisons believe is a minor issue.

Erik Swanson was removed while warming up to pitch for the Buffalo Bisons Tuesday due to “heat related illness symptoms”

Minor issue; he’s considered day-to-day

Swanson’s last two outings have been strong and Blue Jays have been considering recalling him to majors in near-term

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 10, 2024

The 30-year-old reliever, optioned to triple-A on May 28 due to poor performance, was originally slated to relieve Toronto Blue Jays prospect Eric Pardinho, who delivered his top triple-A performance to date, striking out four of his five batters faced over an inning and a third.

Swanson has also enjoyed a recent string of success, tossing consecutive scoreless outings over his last two appearances entering Tuesday, allowing just two hits while punching out a pair across 3.1 innings. Prior to this stretch, he had pitched to a miserable 15.30 ERA and 14.31 FIP over his first 12 outings with Buffalo since being demoted, issuing 12 walks and surrendering seven home runs.

Toronto has considered recalling Swanson recently, as per Zwelling. The big-league bullpen needs as much help as it can get right now, with Jordan Romano and Yimi García — who’s scheduled to make another triple-A rehab appearance Wednesday — on the injured list, watching helplessly as this team sits 29th in bullpen ERA (4.84), and 30th in FIP (4.90) and home runs allowed (54).

Swanson — in his final option year and a free agent after 2025 — owns a 9.22 ERA and 7.34 FIP with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 17 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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