Blue Jays activate 2 top relievers from injured list, cut 2 more from active roster

Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have catcher Danny Jansen back on their roster and in the starting lineup, there's a very solid chance that the offensive unit begins to turn things around in the near future.

Now, the same will likely be said about the bullpen, as the Blue Jays have formally (X link) announced the activation of relievers Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson from the injured list. Both players were excluded from the Opening Day roster thanks to minor injuries they suffered late in spring training.

In a pair of corresponding moves, Nate Pearson was optioned to Triple-A to join the Buffalo Bisons and Mitch White was designated for assignment.

Blue Jays active Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson from injured list

Romano, 31 next week, has quietly been one of the American League's best closers over the past few years. He took the Blue Jays' closer role in 2021 and has posted a 2.37 ERA with 95 saves across 184 outings since then, striking out over 11 batters per nine innings. He has also been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons.

Swanson, 30, made a career-high 69 appearances for the Blue Jays last year after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Mariners. The right-hander has experience in a variety of different roles and could conceivably share a seventh- or eighth-inning role with the likes of Yimi Garcia or Chad Green. Swanson had a 2.97 ERA and 142 ERA+ last year.

Pearson, 27, did absolutely everything right in his latest go-round at the big league level. As a matter of fact, prior to his demotion, he was the only relief pitcher on the Blue Jays that had yet to allow an earned run. He has officially exhausted his final minor league option year and will be able to be recalled and sent back down four more times this season, but no more starting next year.

White, 29, has been DFA'd for the second time since the Blue Jays acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline. The right-hander has shown brief glimpses of hope in the past but just can't put it all together at the big league level for long stretches of time. He has a 7.26 ERA and 55 ERA+ through 24 outings as a member of the Blue Jays.