Blue Jays announce pair of roster moves prior to May 28 game against the White Sox

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare for their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, the team announced a pair of roster moves prior to tonight’s game.

Veteran reliever Chad Green was activated from the IL after being sidelined since mid-April due to a right shoulder strain. In a corresponding move, the Jays decided to option struggling right-handed pitcher Erik Swanson to Triple-A Buffalo.

Prior to his injury, Green represented one of the few reliable and dependable arms that the Jays have had this season. Over his seven appearances to date, he has posted a 1-0 record with a stellar 2.35 ERA along with a 1.04 WHIP, giving up just 2 earned runs with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work. On top of that, Green had converted both of his save opportunities while registering another two key holds along the way. His return to the Jays’ relief corps couldn’t have come soon enough with the bullpen struggling mightily ever since his placement on the IL.

With respect to Swanson, it has been a tough season for the 30-year-old both on and off the field. After experiencing an emergency family situation at the start of training camp, it was shortly followed by an IL stint as a result of forearm tightness in his right arm. Since his return to the club in mid-April, Swanson has struggled to find his game ever since. He had compiled a 1-2 record with a gaudy 9.22 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, yielding 14 earned runs with just 10 strikeouts in just 13.2 innings pitched. Those were easily his worst numbers since his 2020 COVID-shortened season with the Seattle Mariners. By optioning him down to the minors, it will finally give Swanson the opportunity to focus and re-establish his game, along with carefully working out the kinks to get himself back on track.

Hopefully, with the return of Green, it will provide a much-needed boost to the Jays’ bullpen to help them rediscover their early season success that they once had to get the team back in the right direction.