LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson has left the team to be with his family after his 4-year-old son, Toby, was hit by a car Sunday.

Manager John Schneider said Toby was airlifted to a hospital, and he is “on the road to recovery.” Schneider also praised the first responders in Clearwater for their “incredible work.”

“Erik will be away from the team for a while, family comes first,” Schneider said Tuesday. “Our love, support, and prayers are with … the entire Swanson family.”

Swanson is going into his second season with Toronto and his sixth year in the majors overall. He caught a ceremonial first pitch from Toby before a game in September.

Swanson went 4-2 with four saves and a 2.97 ERA in a career-best 69 appearances in 2023. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is 8-14 with 10 saves and a 3.78 ERA in 195 games.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb