Blue Jays’ Erik Swanson has median nerve entrapment, no structural damage

The Toronto Blue Jays seem to have avoided a serious injury to one of their key relievers.

Right-hander Erik Swanson, who started experiencing elbow discomfort last week, was diagnosed with what the team calls a “median nerve entrapment” after undergoing an MRI, but suffered no structural damage, Sportsnet’s David Singh reported on Friday.

Per Singh, Swanson received a cortisone shot and will avoid throwing for a few days.

Swanson had been dealing with forearm fatigue back in January, which delayed his start to spring training.

The 31-year-old posted a 5.03 ERA over 39.1 innings for the Blue Jays in 2024, and was demoted to triple-A in late May because of his early-season struggles. Upon his return, however, he posted a 2.55 ERA over his final 24.2 innings.

Swanson agreed to a one-year, $3-million deal back in November.