Boy, 4, critically hurt on Clearwater Beach is son of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher

A 4-year-old boy who was critically hurt after he was hit by an SUV on Clearwater Beach on Sunday is the son of Erik Swanson, a relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Clearwater police said the incident occurred in the 400 block of Gulfview Boulevard.

Toby Swanson was hit by a 2024 Ford Expedition that was being driven by a valet driver at the nearby Opal Sands. Police said the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Toby was flown by medical helicopter to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg with injuries that police said were life-threatening. Police said the boy remained in critical condition on Tuesday.

Erik Swanson left the Blue Jays, who hold spring training in nearby Dunedin, to be with his family after the incident.

Manager John Schneider said Toby 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. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is 8-14 with 10 saves and a 3.78 ERA in 195 games.

Material from the Associated Press supplements this report.