Minnesota Twins The
Minnesota Twins selected Swarzak in the second round, with the 61st overall selection, in the
2004 Major League Baseball draft. Swarzak was #15 on the
Baseball America Top
Gulf Coast League Prospects list in 2004. He was
Midwest League Pitcher of the Week (from May 16–22, 2005), the Twins' Pitcher of the Month (May 2005), Midwest League
All-Star, and #8 on the
Baseball America Top
Midwest League Prospects list in 2005. In 2006, he was
Florida State League Pitcher of the Week (from August 7–14, 2006) and a FSL Post-Season All-Star. Swarzak was one of the top rated prospects in the Twins' farm system before a fifty-game suspension for violation of Minor League drug policy on April 20, 2007, sidetracked his career. He tested positive for
marijuana. After having started the season with the Double A
New Britain Rock Cats, upon his reinstatement from the restricted list on June 11, he was reassigned to the Class A Advanced
Fort Myers Miracle. After three games with Fort Myers, he returned to New Britain. He began the 2008 season with the Rock Cats, and went 3–8 with a 5.67
earned run average. After a promotion to
Triple-A, his record actually improved to 5–0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts. He was added to the Twins' 40 man roster, and spent his first spring with the Twins in 2009. Following
Spring training, he was reassigned to Rochester. Swarzak suffered from a lack of run support in
Rochester to start the season. Despite an ERA of 1.59 in his first three starts, his record stood at 0–3. His record improved to 3–4 with a 2.25 ERA when he got the call to the majors on May 20. He filled in the starting rotation for the injured left-handed starter
Glen Perkins.Swarzak made his major league debut for the Twins on May 23, 2009, in a home game against the
Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out three. The Twins won the game 6–2, earning Swarzak his first major league win. After a line drive broke his foot, Swarzak's 2010 season was statistically awful as he spent the whole year in the minors. His ERA finished at 6.21 in Triple-A Rochester. Swarzak rebounded in 2011, contributing both in long relief and in spot starts for the Twins. He pitched a total of 102 innings, going 4–7 in 27 games. In 2012, Swarzak started five games for the Twins while making 39 appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a collective 96 innings of work. Swarzak began 2013 on the disabled list with fractured left ribs he suffered while "wrestling around a little bit." He was activated on April 7 and used primarily as a long reliever for the rest of the season. In 48 games, he went 3–2 with a 2.91 ERA, striking out 69 in 96 innings. On November 25, 2014, the Twins announced that Swarzak had been outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Cleveland Indians On January 15, 2015, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with the
Cleveland Indians that included an invitation to Spring Training. On April 5, Swarzak was selected to the 40-man roster. On May 9, Swarzak was designated for assignment by the Indians after
Bruce Chen was added to the roster. On June 16, Swarzak was released by the Indians.
Doosan Bears On June 16, 2015, Swarzak signed with the
Doosan Bears of the
KBO League. Swarzak filled the foreign player roster spot formerly held by
Yunesky Maya. He worked mainly as a starting pitcher in Korea and added a
slider to his arsenal of pitches.
New York Yankees Swarzak signed a minor league contract with the
New York Yankees on February 5, 2016. He began the 2016 season with the Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and was promoted to the major leagues on June 7. At the end of the season, Swarzak elected free agency over an assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Chicago White Sox On January 23, 2017, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with the
Chicago White Sox. Swarzak ended up having one of the best seasons of his career in Chicago. In 41 games with the White Sox, he posted a 2.23 ERA and a 1.034 WHIP.
Milwaukee Brewers On July 25, 2017, Swarzak was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers for
outfielder Ryan Cordell.
New York Mets Swarzak signed a two-year contract with the
New York Mets on December 15, 2017, worth over $14 million. On April 3, the Mets placed Swarzak on the disabled list with an
oblique strain and recalled
Hansel Robles. Swarzak was activated from the disabled list on June 5 after appearing in three rehab games with the
Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
Seattle Mariners On December 3, 2018, the Mets traded Swarzak,
Jay Bruce,
Jarred Kelenic,
Gerson Bautista, and
Justin Dunn to the
Seattle Mariners for
Edwin Díaz,
Robinson Canó, and $20 million. Swarzak missed spring training in 2019, as he was placed on the injured list in March 2019. Swarzak returned to the active roster on April 2, 2019.
Atlanta Braves On May 20, 2019, Swarzak was traded to the
Atlanta Braves in exchange for
Arodys Vizcaíno and
Jesse Biddle. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.
Philadelphia Phillies On February 4, 2020, Swarzak signed a Minor League contract with the
Philadelphia Phillies. He was released on July 20, 2020.
Arizona Diamondbacks On March 4, 2021, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with the
Arizona Diamondbacks organization that included an invitation to spring training. On April 7, 2021, Swarzak was selected to the 40-man roster to take the roster spot of fellow reliever
Chris Devenski, who had been placed on the restricted list. Swarzak struggled to a 9.64 ERA in 6 games for the Diamondbacks before being designated for assignment on April 18. On April 23, Swarzak was released. On June 18, Swarzak was selected to the active roster and made his Royals debut the following day against the
Boston Red Sox, pitching for his tenth major league team. Swarzak struggled to a 9.39 ERA in 7 appearances before being designated for assignment on July 17. On July 21, Swarzak cleared waivers and elected free agency. ==References==