After an outstanding 2023 season, the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen and Erik Swanson haven’t found the same level of success in 2024.
In relief of an ineffective Alek Manoah on Sunday, Nate Pearson, Genesis Cabrera, and Swanson all allowed runs to give up a lead to the Washington Nationals on the way to a Blue Jays 11-8 loss.
Swanson served up the decisive blow, a two-run homer to Eddie Rosario, for the second time in the series after giving up a three-run blast to Luis Garcia Jr. and taking the loss on Friday.
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A year ago, Swanson served as one of Toronto’s most reliable relievers, racking up 75 strikeouts over 66.2 innings while posting a 2.97 ERA.
But after allowing Rosario’s go-ahead blast on a splitter he left up in the zone, he owns a 16.50 ERA through six innings this season.
It was Swanson’s fourth home run allowed in 2024, all coming off his splitter, matching the total number of home runs he allowed on the pitch in 2023.
After Friday’s loss, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he was unsure if Swanson might be giving something away to opposing hitters.
“Leaving pitches up in the zone … I don’t know if he’s tipping pitches, honestly … I’m not afraid to say that publicly,” Schneider said.
Swanson began the regular season on the 15-day injured list due to forearm tightness, making three rehab appearances before returning to the major-league club.
Even before Sunday’s loss, Toronto’s bullpen owned the fourth-worst ERA (5.18) in baseball.
With the offence struggling to begin the year, the Blue Jays can’t afford to give away games in which they put up eight runs.
