Son of Blue Jays P Erik Swanson close to leaving hospital

The 4-year-old son of Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson is close to being released from a Florida hospital nearly two weeks after being struck by a car.

"I stand here, very happily, telling you that in the next day or two, he should probably be going home," Swanson told Blue Jays reporters Thursday.

Swanson left camp last week following the accident that left his son, Toby, in the pediatric intensive care unit. The child reportedly was struck by a valet driver at a Clearwater, Fla., resort and airlifted to a local hospital on Feb. 25.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced Feb. 27 that Swanson would leave camp at Dunedin, Fla., to be with his family as Toby recuperated.

The Blue Jays acquired Swanson in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in November 2022. In his first season with the Blue Jays, the 30-year-old right-hander appeared in 69 games in 2023, finishing with a 4-2 record, 2.97 ERA, four saves and 75 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings.

Toronto begins the 2024 season March 28 on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, their American League East rival.