Toronto Blue Jays reliever Eric Swanson will be absent from Blue Jays camp for some time after his 4-year-old son was hit by a car and airlifted to the hospital on Sunday, the Blue Jays announced.
Blue Jays: “Thanks to the incredible work of Clearwater first responders, Toby is on the road to recovery and surrounded by his family.” statement read. “Eric will be away from the team for some time, but family comes first. Our love, support and prayers are with Eric, Madison, Toby and the entire Swanson family. We would like to pay tribute to Eric and his family. I will not be commenting further on this.”
An article about this morning's difficult news that Eric Swanson's 4-year-old son, Toby, was airlifted after being hit by a car on Sunday. #Blue Jays Director John Schneider: https://t.co/1Rh6OKuGuU
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 27, 2024
According to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays manager John Schneider shared his thoughts with reporters in an emotional statement. (Related: MLB teams forcing players to shave, but allowing them to wear giant chains makes no sense)
“As a father, I have two boys, ages 7 and 5, and this really hits home for me,” Schneider said. “Baseball is just baseball, right? You pray. You hope for the best. Thankfully, that's how it has always been. You see how quickly things can change. I don’t take things for granted.”
John Schneider tells me that Eric Swanson's 4-year-old son, Toby, was hit by a car on Sunday and was airlifted to the hospital.
Toby is “on the road to recovery surrounded by his family.”
Swanson will be away from the team. An emotional Schneider expressed his love and support.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 27, 2024
Swanson was a mainstay in the Blue Jays' 2023 bullpen. Post He pitched 66.2 innings with a 2.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts.
