DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Blue Jays are rallying around relief pitcher Erik Swanson and his family after his 4-year-old son Toby was hit by a car in Clearwater last Sunday and flown to a nearby hospital.
The Blue Jays released a statement Tuesday regarding the accident, saying that “Toby is on the road to recovery,” while expressing gratitude to Clearwater first responders and offering their support to the Swanson family.
“Thanks to the incredible work of Clearwater first responders, Toby is on the road to recovery and surrounded by his family. Erik will be away from the team for a while, family comes first. Our love, support and prayers go out to Erik, Madison, Toby and the entire Swanson family.”
According to the Clearwater police report obtained by The Athletic, the accident occurred in Clearwater Beach and involved a large SUV. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation. According to the Clearwater police report, Toby is in critical condition at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.
Speaking to reporters in Lakeland, Florida, before the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the team is a tight-knit group and everyone is showing their support for Swanson and his family.
“We have incredible resources in this organization,” Schneider told reporters, including Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “We have an incredible group of people in this clubhouse that are very, very close. Together with other families, they spend a lot of time outside the field. You rely on these guys. You come together as an organization as quickly as possible and help as best you can. The boys were great. Erik and his wife Madison are very grateful for the support and we will keep it going for as long as it takes.”
There is no timetable for Swanson's return to the team.
“Baseball is secondary when it comes to family and life,” Schneider told reporters. “We will support him. The boys have been absolutely phenomenal with him so far and one can't forget the players' wives and significant others who have also come forward. It’s been a tough few days but it’s really nice to see the support for Erik.”
(Photo of Swanson from last season: Dan Hamilton / USA Today)