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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Veteran pitcher Erik Swanson, who was released by the Blue Jays earlier this year en route to the team's first World Series appearance since 1993, announced his retirement Thursday.
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Swanson, 32, was traded to the Blue Jays by the Seattle Mariners in November 2022 for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. He pitched for the team over the next three seasons, until he was released in June with a 15.19 ERA in six appearances.
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"This game took me to places I don’t think I could have ever guessed I’d be," Swanson wrote in an Instagram 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.
"My time in this game was nothing short of amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way and to all those who supported me."
Swanson retires after 246 appearances in a seven-year career that began with the Mariners in 2019. He went 11-16 with a 4.20 ERA (99 ERA+).
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Swanson began the 2025 season on the injured list with right median nerve entrapment. He spent all of April and May on the 60-day IL.
Swanson allowed two earned runs in his first four appearances, but was tagged for seven runs in his final two games while recording just five outs. He was designated for assignment on June 17 and released six days later.
While the Blue Jays went on to capture the American League pennant, Swanson went unsigned for the remainder of the season. Now the former eighth-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers (2014) heads off into retirement after 12 seasons of professional baseball.
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