Beleaguered RHP Bowden Francis placed on IL, while Erik Swanson DFAed by Blue Jays

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The state of the Blue Jays’ pitching, already beset with issues, was thrown into upheaval well before Tuesday night’s series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

To begin with, embattled starter Bowden Francis, who has looked more minor league than major league, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with what the team described as right shoulder impingement.

Per manager John Schneider, there’s no structural damage to the shoulder.

No word on what kind of structural damage exists between the ears.

Francis has come unhinged for most of his starts this season, culminating with an outing in Philadelphia on the weekend when Francis walked three batters and hit two others in one inning.

Equally embattled Erik Swanson was dealt a more severe fate when the right-handed reliever was designated for assignment.

Swanson was the key piece the Blue Jays acquired three years ago when Teoscar Hernandez was dealt to Seattle.

As part of the deal, the Jays also acquired pitching prospect Adam Macko.
Swanson has had his moments in Toronto, but his 2025 season has been an unmitigated disaster.

The veteran began the season on the injured because of an arm injury.
Since his return on June 1, Swanson wasn’t able to rediscover his form and became prone to serving up home runs.

In six games, Swanson recorded an ERA of 15.19.

Swanson has dealt with some personal issues off the field, but he persevered, an attitude that endeared him to his teammates and coaching staff.
In the bottom line world of pro sports, results are all that matter and Swanson did not deliver.

The Jays, meanwhile, recalled right-hander Paxton Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo, while left-hander Justin Bruihl was selected to the major-league roster.

One of the team’s most effective relievers in high leverage is Yimi Garcia, but he remains on the injured.

The team’s presumptive fourth starter in Max Scherzer is scheduled to start Wednesday for the Buffalo Bisons with the goal to reach 70 pitches.

If all goes well, the veteran’s next start will be back in the big leagues.

Scherzer’s thumb injury, which was sustained in his Blue Jays debut, and Francis’ on-going struggles put too much burden on the team’s incumbent starters in Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt.

Eric Lauer and Spencer Turnbull have shown flashes when called upon by the Jays.

Lauer is scheduled to start Wednesday, while Turnbull looms as the bulk guy Friday.