The Toronto Blue Jays released reliever Erik Swanson after the right-hander cleared waivers, the team said Tuesday.
Swanson was designated for assignment last week after posting a 15.19 earned-run average over six appearances this season.
The 31-year-old native of Fargo, N.D., dealt with nerve and forearm issues in his throwing arm earlier this year and was unable to regain his form once activated.
The Blue Jays acquired Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko in November 2022 from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for slugger Teoscar Hernandez.
Swanson was a reliable high-leverage option for the Blue Jays in ’23, but his ERA jumped by over two runs to 5.03 last season.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said last week it was a “tough conversation” to tell Swanson that he’d been designated for assignment.
“It kind of happens in the game when things aren’t going your way,” Schneider said. “And he understands that part of it.
“It’s still hard to move on from a guy like that that’s meant a lot for you the last couple years.”
Swanson made his big-league debut with the Mariners in 2019. His best season came in 2022 when he posted a 3-2 record with a 1.68 ERA over 57 appearances.
Syndergaard joins White Sox on minor league deal
Noah Syndergaard will attempt to make a comeback with the Chicago White Sox, who have signed the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal.
Syndergaard has reported to the team’s spring complex in Glendale, Ariz., the White Sox confirmed Tuesday.
The 32-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2023, when he was cut by Cleveland. He went 2-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 18 combined starts for the Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers that year.
He was selected in the first round (38th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2010 amateur draft.
Nicknamed “Thor” for his long blonde hair and six-foot-six frame, Syndergaard debuted for the New York Mets in 2015 and won a World Series start that season. He was a 2016 all-star but injuries have sidetracked his career.
Syndergaard is 59-47 with a 3.71 ERA in eight major league seasons.
