Former Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson has officially announced his retirement from professional baseball, closing the book on a seven-year Major League Baseball career that included stints with both the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
Career Comes to an Unexpected End
The 32-year-old right-handed pitcher made the emotional announcement via his Instagram account on Thursday, reflecting on what he described as an "amazing" journey through professional baseball. Swanson's retirement comes just months after the Blue Jays released him in June 2025 following a disappointing season where he struggled to regain his previous form.
Swanson joined the Toronto organization prior to the 2023 season, arriving in a trade that sent popular outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Seattle Mariners. The native of Fargo, North Dakota had established himself as a reliable bullpen arm during his first two seasons with the Jays, but could never quite find his rhythm during the 2025 campaign.
Emotional Farewell to Baseball
In his heartfelt social media post, Swanson expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities baseball provided him. "This game took me to places I don't think I could have ever guessed I'd be," Swanson wrote. "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."
The pitcher specifically mentioned the bonds he formed in various cities throughout his career, noting friendships 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."
Blue Jays Tenure and Personal Challenges
Swanson's time with the Blue Jays was marked by both professional challenges and personal adversity. During spring training in 2024, his young son Toby was seriously injured after being struck by a car, forcing Swanson to leave the team for several weeks while his son recovered.
The incident prompted an outpouring of support from Blue Jays fans, which Swanson acknowledged in his retirement announcement, expressing appreciation for the Toronto fanbase that stood by him during difficult times.
Despite high expectations entering the 2025 season as a potential key contributor to Toronto's bullpen, Swanson's performance never met the team's standards. The Blue Jays ultimately designated him for assignment in June, and after failing to catch on with another organization, the veteran pitcher has now decided to step away from the game entirely.
Swanson's retirement marks the end of a professional journey that began when he was drafted and developed through the minor league systems before making his MLB debut. His career serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional sports, where even established players can see their careers change direction rapidly.
