Swanson has been on the IL since the end of the spring. He’ll need a rehab assignment, but he could return during the final week of April.

Swanson will likely need to throw several bullpens before he can begin a rehab assignment. It would be a surprise if the 31-year-old was back in the Toronto bullpen before the end of April.

In non-medical terms, that means Swanson is dealing with nerve irritation in his elbow. He has already begun throwing, and the move is retroactive to March 24th, so he could return in less than two weeks if he continues to recover well.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters that Swanson “felt good” after throwing. The right-hander underwent a cortisone shot because of a median nerve entrapment, but his imaging revealed now structural damage. Swanson likely opens the year on the injured list, but it doesn’t appear he’s dealing with a long-term ailment.