Erik Swanson’s son, Toby, out of intensive care unit after being struck by car

The son of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson, Toby, has been released from the pediatric intensive care unit, his wife shared on Instagram, days after an SUV struck the four-year-old.

In a post thanking those who have reached out, first responders, “pedestrians that helped as we waited the next step,” and the “AMAZING staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,” his wife, Madison, announced the news.

“I don’t have the words, idk (sic) where to begin,” she wrote in a story post. “We have been overwhelmed with a huge amount of love and support over the last few days.

“The most important update is that Toby is out of the PICU and we are continuing to take it day by day.”

The incident happened on Sunday outside of the Opal Sands resort in Clearwater Beach, Fla., miles away from the Toronto Blue Jays spring training complex, when a valet driver struck the boy with a 2024 Ford Expedition.

Toby was airlifted by medical helicopter to the aforementioned hospital in life-threatening condition but was upgraded to critical condition Tuesday. His being released from the pediatric intensive care unit is another positive sign.

Erik Swanson, meanwhile, is away from the team indefinitely to care be with his family.

On Tuesday, Jays manager John Schneider would be there for the Swanson family to lean on.

“We have unbelievable resources up and down this organization,” Schneider said, via MLB.com. “We have an unbelievable group of guys who are in that clubhouse who are very, very close. They spend a lot of time together off the field along with other families. You lean on those guys. You come together as an organization as quickly as you can and help however you can. The guys have been great. Erik and his wife, Madison, are very thankful for the support, and we’re going to continue to give it as long as we need to.”

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.