“Nick Sandlin Poised for Key Role in Blue Jays Bullpen Amid Erik Swanson’s Injury Setback”

With Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson sidelined due to a median nerve entrapment in his elbow, newly acquired Nick Sandlin has the opportunity to carve out a crucial role in the bullpen ahead of Opening Day. Swanson, who recently received a cortisone shot, has been shut down from throwing for the next few days as he recovers. While his exact return date remains uncertain, signs increasingly point to him starting the season on the injured list.

For the 31-year-old Swanson, the injury is an unfortunate setback as he looked to establish himself early in the season. However, there is some positive news—his MRI revealed no structural damage, suggesting the injury is not severe. In the meantime, this opens the door for Sandlin, an offseason acquisition from the Cleveland Guardians, to step up. Sandlin was acquired in a trade that sent Spencer Horwitz to the Guardians, with Andrés Giménez also briefly joining the Blue Jays before moving to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Blue Jays signed Sandlin to a one-year, $1.63 million deal, and his role in the bullpen now looks increasingly significant.

Sandlin’s Impact on the Blue Jays Bullpen

Sandlin, 28, comes off an impressive 2023 season with the Guardians, where he posted an 8-0 record with a 3.75 ERA and 68 strikeouts across 57.2 innings. His recent performance in a Blue Jays’ 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves showcased his potential, as he recorded two strikeouts, a walk, two hits, and one earned run in a single inning. In spring training, he has a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA, six strikeouts, and a 1.75 WHIP, demonstrating both promise and room for refinement.

What makes Sandlin particularly intriguing is his ability to generate swings and misses. His low release point ranked as the seventh lowest among all qualified pitchers last season, making him a deceptive option out of the bullpen. If he can improve his ability to consistently hit the strike zone, he could become an invaluable asset.

The Value of Sandlin’s Sidearm Delivery

Sandlin’s unique sidearm delivery gives hitters a difficult time, as his arm angle makes his pitches hard to read. His slider, which boasts a high spin rate, works in tandem with his splitter to create a devastating combination. This pairing keeps opposing hitters off balance, making it difficult for them to string together quality at-bats.

Beyond his deceptive delivery, Sandlin excels at limiting inherited runners from scoring—a crucial skill for a reliever. His ability to perform in high-leverage situations, backed by a 33.7% whiff rate and a 27.6% strikeout rate (per Baseball Savant), makes him a strong candidate to take on Swanson’s late-game responsibilities.

With the Blue Jays aiming to improve upon last season’s American League-worst 4.82 bullpen ERA, Sandlin’s emergence, alongside Jeff Hoffman, Yimi García, and Yariel Rodríguez, could provide much-needed stability. If he capitalizes on this opportunity, he could be a key figure in the Blue Jays’ bullpen throughout the 2024 season.