The Toronto Blue Jays officially activated right-handed relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo and designated right-hander Mitch White for assignment. Romano and Swanson came out of their short minor-league rehab assignments healthy and are ready to make their 2024 debuts with Toronto at the back end of their bullpen. While the 30-year-old Romano could be eased into his regular closer role, fantasy managers should be ready to throw him right into their starting lineups in season-long leagues after he recorded 36 saves in each of the last two seasons for the Blue Jays. Swanson has fantasy appeal as well in holds leagues and as a handcuff to Romano for his late-inning setup role.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are likely to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Both Romano and Swanson have completed their minor-league rehab assignments and are ready to make their 2024 debuts in the big leagues this week. The Blue Jays could decide to ease the 30-year-old Romano into closing duties when he's back, but he should be rostered already in all fantasy formats. With Romano and Swanson injured, Chad Green has picked up two saves, while Yimi Garcia has one early in the season. Swanson probably isn't going to many save chances in 2024 as long as Romano stays healthy the rest of the way, but he'll be a key late-inning setup man and will have value in fantasy in holds leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson are both close to returning to game action, giving the club their two best relievers back and solidifying the eighth and ninth innings. Both right-handers have been sidelined by elbow issues as Romano said before Sunday's 5-0 win over the Rockies that he's feeling good after throwing 2/3 of an inning at Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday and doesn't feel that he needs a third rehab outing before returning to the club's bullpen. Swanson has pronounced himself ready for a return after pitching for Buffalo on Thursday and Saturday. Of course, Romano is a big-time asset to fantasy managers upon his return with 72 saves over the last two seasons while Swanson is valued in leagues that reward holds with 29 of those last season alongside his 2.97 ERA.

Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are slated to pitch in Triple-A Buffalo's doubleheader tomorrow. Both pitchers struggled some in their most recent rehab appearance on Thursday and will look to improve on those outings. Should the outings go well, both relievers have a chance to join the Blue Jays roster and be taken off the injured list. Swanson's value as a setup man may carry more value to the Blue Jays than to fantasy managers. However, Romano should be rostered in all leagues with his return being close.

Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are both expected to pitch on Thursday with Triple-A Buffalo, and they should both be active soon after that as long as they don't suffer setbacks. Romano dealt with right-elbow inflammation in spring training and began the year on the injured list, but he's close to being ready to make his 2024 debut as Toronto's closer. Swanson is another key late-inning arm for the Blue Jays and should be one of the team's top setup men in front of Romano in the ninth inning again this year. Chad Green has been filling in as the team's closer with Romano and Swanson sidelined, but he'll go back to a setup role once Romano is activated. The 30-year-old Romano needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues with his return imminent.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday, throwing one clean inning for Single-A Dunedin. Swanson struck out two batters and threw 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. Once Swanson gets one or two more appearances under his belt, he'll be ready to return to Toronto's bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander had his spring training cut short after two appearances due to inflammation in his right elbow, but he should be activated from the 10-day injured list in mid-April. If he's available before star closer Jordan Romano (elbow), Swanson could be thrust into high-leverage situations right off the bat after earning a 2.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 75:21 K:BB over 66 innings a year ago. In the meantime, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia will form a committee for ninth-inning work for the Jays and remain worth holding in most fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) threw his second bullpen session on Thursday, while reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) threw a live batting practice session, and both went well, according to manager John Schneider. Next up for Romano is a live batting practice session, and if that goes well, he'll go right into minor-league rehab games. Both Romano and Swanson are progressing from injuries they picked up in spring training and could be activated from the injured list sooner than later. Romano has proven to be one of the best fantasy closers in baseball over the past several seasons and shouldn't be available on any waiver wires. Until he's able to return, Chad Green figures to be first in line for save opportunities in Toronto, although Yimi Garcia could also be involved in the ninth-inning picture.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) threw a bullpen session on Monday and felt good, according to manager John Schneider. Swanson has been sidelined by a forearm issue recently that forced him to the injured list to begin the season. The injury is a tough blow, as Swanson could have been in line for closing duties with Jordan Romano sidelined by an elbow ailment. The 30-year-old has been fantastic of late, working to a 2.97 ERA across 69 appearances with the Blue Jays in 2023, his first season with the club, after dominating to the tune of a 1.68 ERA and a 29.1% K-BB% in 57 outings with the Seattle Mariners in 2022. He should be in line for closing duties if he can beat Romano back off the injured list.

Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) will officially open the 2024 season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. As a result, Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons will open the year in Toronto's bullpen. Swanson has already resumed playing catch, while the Blue Jays hope Romano can begin throwing off a mound next week. Hopefully, both pitchers will be able to return in the middle of April, but there's no guarantee. Romano should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being. With both Romano and Swanson on the shelf, the Blue Jays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee approach, consisting of arms like Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that it's "reasonable to say" that both closer Jordan Romano (elbow) and late-inning reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) will start the season on the injured list. The Blue Jays haven't made any official moves yet, though, because starter Kevin Gausman's (shoulder) status will play into the pitching puzzle. Ideally, Romano and Swanson are on a mound building up their arms next week. This was the way things had been trending for a while, but the good news is that both relievers could be ready to go when they are eligible to come off the IL in April. The injury to the 30-year-old Romano definitely puts a chip in his fantasy value as one of the top closers in baseball. Yimi Garcia should be considered the favorite for save chances early on in Toronto, but Chad Green could also be involved in the ninth inning.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson experienced tightness in his forearm and underwent an MRI. According to Jays manager John Schneider, there was no injury and no inflammation, so the 30-year-old will be shut down for "a day or two." The veteran had four saves and 29 holds for the Jays last season and figures to be an important part of the bullpen in 2024. With fellow reliever and top-10 fantasy closer option Jordan Romano dealing with an injury as well, this situation should be monitored since Swanson would likely be next in line for save chances. However, neither pitcher's injury sounds serious and both still appear to be on track to be ready by Opening Day.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson couldn't hold down the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning of Sunday's game, blowing the save in what would end up being a 3-2 Jays win. Filling in for a resting Jordan Romano, Swanson made quick work of the first two hitters he faced before giving up a game-tying home run to Rafael Devers. He would end up grabbing the win in this one, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are rostering Swanson will probably take the result. The 30-year-old has been as advertised this year after being acquired for Teoscar Hernandez last offseason by the Bluebirds, as he has pitched to a 3.06 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Unfortunately, he isn't likely to see many save opportunities unless Romano sustains an injury.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed right-hander Erik Swanson (spine) on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with thoracic-spine inflammation and recalled right-hander Jay Jackson from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Swanson was injured during his appearances in Saturday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, and now he'll miss at least the next two weeks of action. It's an injury that could very well sidelined the 29-year-old reliever for the rest of the 2023 season. It's a tough blow for Toronto's bullpen, as Swanson has been strong in his first year for the Jays, posting a 3.10 ERA (3.28 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 19 walks and 67 strikeouts in 58 relief innings.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (back) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander only faced two batters before leaving the game due to back discomfort. This is tough news as Swanson has been a key part in high-leverage situations this season. The hope is that it's a minor injury and Swanson will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson allowed one earned run on three hits over a 2/3 of an inning in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. He picked up his fourth save of the season. The 29-year-old entered the game in the ninth inning with a two-run lead and one out. Swanson allowed three straight singles before finally getting out of the jam with a double play. He is now earned a save in his last two appearances. Swanson owns a 3.58 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 57: 18 K: BB across 50 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays acquired Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals before the MLB trade deadline. Hicks notched his first save with the Blue Jays in Friday's win against the Red Sox. Swanson will likely take a backseat to Hicks but could earn some save chances while Toronto's primary closer, Jordan Romano (back), is sidelined. Fantasy managers in deep-league formats searching for saves can look to add Swanson.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson was called upon to shut the door versus the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. The Jays are searching for a closer after Jordan Romano (back) went on the injured list. The expectation is that they will by closer-by-committee until Romano is back. Newcomer Jordan Hicks pitched the eighth inning on Wednesday, but faced the heart of the order. Swanson allowed a hit, but was able to strike out two batters and secure his third save of the season. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see what the Jays do going forward. However, fantasy managers should keep Swanson on their radar for now.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson should see increased save chances with closer Jordan Romano (back) sent to the 15-day injured list on Saturday. Yimi Garcia, who has pitched the ninth inning in Toronto's last two outings, appears to have a slight edge for closing work with Tim Mayza also potentially in the mix while Romano is out. Perhaps Swanson, owner of a 6.39 ERA in his prior 12 2/3 frames, isn't necessarily the favorite for saves at the moment. However, the right-hander remains a worthwhile speculative fantasy waiver add with the Jays having produced the sixth-most save opportunities (49) as a team this year. Toronto likely searches for bullpen help at the trade deadline, though.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson has been a reliable arm in the club's bullpen thus far, posting a 3.16 ERA, 29.1% strikeout rate, and 0.98 WHIP with one save and 21 holds over 42 games. The 29-year-old should remain in a high-leverage role for the rest of the season, and with Jordan Romano's (back) potential injury, there might be a chance for some save opportunities. Fantasy managers in hold leagues can keep rostering Swanson, and those in standard formats can pick him up off the waiver wire, depending on Romano's status.

The Toronto Blue Jays are acquiring reliever Erik Swanson and left-handed pitching prospect Adam Macko from the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. Swanson was a very reliable setup man for the Mariners last year, posting a 1.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, three saves, 14 holds, 70 walks and only 10 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old right-hander now moves to the tough American League East, where he'll be a setup man for closer Jordan Romano. Macko, 21, was ranked as Seattle's No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline before the trade. The young southpaw will be a long-term option for Toronto's rotation down the line. He made eight starts for High-A Everett in 2022, going 0-2 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 60 strikeouts and 20 walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched.