Iowa Western graduate and Seattle Mariners pitcher Erik Swanson was called up to the majors, Tuesday, April 9.

Swanson's first appearance with the club marked the right-hander's major league debut. Thursday, April 11, Swanson went 2 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 4 Royal's hitters. 

Manager Scott Servais told MLB.com that Swanson, 25, would pitch out of the bullpen in an extended role, adding he's a fan of putting minor league starters in such a position.

"This is Swannie's first taste of the big leagues, but he knows who he is," Servais told mlb.com. "Even though he doesn't have any experience at this level, he's probably one of the more mature guys in understanding how he gets them out."

Swanson played one year at Iowa Western Community College, where he helped his team to the Junior College World Series title in 2014.

The Texas Rangers drafted Swanson in the eighth round of the 2014 draft. He was then traded to the New York Yankees in a deal for Carlos Beltran, before being traded once again to the Seattle Mariners in 2018.

Swanson spent last season splitting time between AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.58 ERA. He struck out 133 batters and walked just 29 in 22 games (20 starts).

In one start this season with AAA Tacoma, Swanson threw five scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing six hits, no runs and no walks.