Erik Swanson began the 2025 season as a reliever the Blue Jays had high hopes would be a valuable part of the team’s bullpen.
By mid-summer, he was released by the team and after looking for work since, the personable 32-year-old has announced his retirement.
With an emotional post on his Instagram account on Thursday, the native of Fargo, N.D., said his “time in the game was nothing short of amazing” as he reflected on his seven-year big-league career that included stops in Toronto and Seattle.
“This game took me to places I don’t think I could have ever guessed I’d be,” Swanson wrote in his post. “It gave me cities to call home and people to call family. It’s incredible how many relationships this game has brought into my life.
“From lifelong friends up in Toronto and Winnipeg, to friends in big cities like Seattle and small towns like Hickory, NC, and all the other little stops In between. It’s pretty amazing how a simple game can bring so many amazing people into your world.”
Swanson joined the Jays prior to the 2023 season, coming to Toronto via a trade with the Mariners that sent popular outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to Seattle.
After a couple of solid years in the bullpen, Swanson could never find his best form in 2025 and was designated for assignment by the Jays in June.
Swanson was appreciative of the support of Jays fans and their outpouring of support when his young son Toby was seriously hurt after being struck by a car during spring training in 2024. The right-hander left the team for several weeks as Toby recovered.