Could Seattle Mariners Go After Roster Reunion with Former Key Reliever?

Erik Swanson, who helped the Mariners get to the playoffs in 2022, has just been designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Erik Swanson (50) pitches to the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park in 2022. / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Former Seattle Mariners reliever Erik Swanson has been designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays, leading us to wonder if the Seattle Mariners could pursue a reunion with him.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 RHP Paxton Schultz recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight

🔹 LHP Justin Bruihl selected to the Major League roster and will be active tonight

🔹 RHP Erik Swanson DFA’d

🔹 RHP Bowden Francis placed on 15-day IL (right shoulder impingement) pic.twitter.com/JGRwDOR38Q

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 17, 2025

Swanson, 31, played for the Mariners from 2019-2022, becoming an integral part of the bullpen in the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. He helped the Mariners get to the playoffs in 2022, going 3-2 with a 1.68 ERA in 57 games that season. He struck out 70 batters in 53.2 innings and was especially effective against left-handers. The Mariners traded Swanson to the Blue Jays before the 2023 season for Teoscar Hernandez.

He was excellent in Toronto in 2023, going 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA, but the wheels fell off in 2024. He got injured and only appeared in 45 games, pitching to a 5.03 ERA. This year, he's only made six big-league appearances, pitching to a 15.19 ERA. He's made four appearances in Triple-A, owning an ERA of 9.00. Swanson missed time this year with carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm, but he just returned and is healthy.

The Mariners have need for extra bullpen arms, but it's unclear how they could make room for Swanson at this time. Trent Thornton owns an ERA of more than seven, but given that he's out of options, the team would have to designate him for assignment, something they apparently don't want to do.

The M's will be back in action on Tuesday against the Red Sox. First pitch at T-Mobile Park is 6:40 p.m. PT.

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