Erik Swanson

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (forearm), who has been sidelined since spring training with carpal-tunnel syndrome in his forearm, had a clean three-up, three-down inning in a minor-league rehab outing on Tuesday for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. The Toronto Sun's Rob Longley suggests that Swanson could be activated from the injured list and return to the big-league bullpen for the first time all year on Thursday for the start of a home series against the Athletics. The 31-year-old has allowed eight runs (six earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out four in six rehab outings with Buffalo, Single-A Dunedin and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. Swanson had an ERA over 5.00 in 45 appearances for the Jays last year, but he could bounce back as a solid late-inning setup man for Toronto if his forearm injury is in the rearview mirror.