Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson will be away from the team indefinitely after his four-year-old son was hit by a car and hospitalized on Sunday in Florida, manager John Schneider said.
The Toronto skipper provided a statement Tuesday before the team’s pre-season game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field in Lakeland, Fla.
“Erik Swanson’s son, Toby, was hit by a car Sunday and was airlifted to nearby hospital,” Schneider said. “Thanks to the incredible work from Clearwater first responders, Toby is on the road to recovery and is surrounded by his family. Erik will be away from the team for a while, family comes first.
“Our love, support, and prayers are with Erik, [wife] Madison, Toby, and the entire Swanson family. Out of respect for Erik and his family, we’re not going to comment further on this.”
The Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., is about seven kilometres away from Clearwater.
Swanson, 30, made 69 relief appearances for the Blue Jays last season. He was 4-2 with a 2.97 earned-run average.
He spent his first four seasons in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners.
