Son of Jays’ pitcher hit by SUV, is in hospital

Through the grind of spring training, baseball has been rendered secondary for the Toronto Blue Jays as the team was rocked by the condition of the young son of one of their more popular players.

According to the team, Toby Swanson, the son of reliever Erik Swanson, is “on the road to recovery” after being struck by a vehicle in Clearwater, Fla., on the weekend. Toby Swanson was airlifted to hospital after the incident on Sunday.

The four-year-old boy remained in critical condition at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., Clearwater Police said Tuesday in a release.

“Thanks to the incredible work from first responders, Toby is on the road to recovery and is surrounded by his family,” the team said in a statement. “Erik will be away from the team for a while, family comes first.

“Our love, support and prayers are with Erik, (his wife) Madison, Toby and the entire Swanson family.”

Police and fire crews responded to a call Sunday morning in Clearwater Beach involving a young boy who was struck by a car and sustained potential life-threatening injuries, police said.

The child was struck by a 2024 Ford Expedition being operated by a valet driver near the Opal Sands Resort, according to an updated release.

The driver remained on scene and was co-operating with the investigation, the release said.

Details on the injuries were not released.

The Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., is about 10 kilometres away from the Clearwater Beach area.

While the team awaits news on Toby’s recovery, the news certainly hit hard. Manager John Schneider, a father of two young boys himself, was visibly shaken up when discussing the situation.

“For me personally, not speaking for Erik, as a dad, I have two boys that are seven and five and it hits home,” Schneider said, his voice cracking. “Baseball is baseball. You pray and you hope for the best and thankfully that has been the case so far.

“You realize how quickly things can change and you don’t take things for granted.”