Son of Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson hit by car in Florida, airlifted to hospital

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson has left the team to be with his family after his 4-year-old son, Toby, was hit by a car Sunday.

Manager John Schneider said Toby was airlifted to a hospital, and he is “on the road to recovery.” Schneider also praised the first responders in Clearwater for their “incredible work.”

“Erik will be away from the team for a while, family comes first,” Schneider said Tuesday. “Our love, support, and prayers are with ... the entire Swanson family.”

Swanson is going into his second season with Toronto and his sixth year in the majors overall. He caught a ceremonial first pitch from Toby before a game in September.

Swanson went 4-2 with four saves and a 2.97 ERA in a career-best 69 appearances in 2023. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is 8-14 with 10 saves and a 3.78 ERA in 195 games.

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