Report: Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann expected to return later this season, left elbow cleared of any structural damage

Many Blue Jays executives and fans alike have to feel relieved, at least to some extent, considering the circumstances surrounding Tiedemann’s exit from his last start. In addition to forearm tightness, the velocity of his fastball was down considerably, averaging just 93.7 m.p.h. and bottoming out at 92.

That combination usually suggests a severe injury in most cases. But thankfully, Tiedemann’s was not one of them.

Toronto’s third-round selection from 2021 has been limited to only 17.1 innings in 2024 because of ulnar nerve inflammation and tightness in his left arm. Pitching across three levels (complex league, single-A, triple-A), he owns a 5.19 ERA and 6.72 FIP with 27 strikeouts and 16 walks in eight starts.

The left-hander’s workload was a major point of emphasis coming into this season, given that he only logged 44 innings last season and 78.2 during his first professional campaign in ’22.

Finishing the year healthy will be crucial for Tiedemann, as the 21-year-old — who’ll turn 22 next month — should receive consideration as an option for the Blue Jays’ 2025 starting rotation.