Blue Jays: Ricky Tiedemann’s last chance season?

Ricky Tiedemann hasn't pitched in a game since 2024 because during that season he suffered an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery.

The Toronto Blue Jays gunner didn't pitch in 2025 while recovering from that surgery, but the Canadiens expect him to be ready for practice camp. Even if the Blue Jays aren't going to take any chances with him, there's good reason to believe he could be an option for them next season.

But is this Toronto's last chance season for the 23-year-old?

Because yes, Tiedemann can be dominant. In his first minor league season in 2022, he posted a record of five wins against four losses with an earned run average of 2.17 in 18 starts. He retired 117 batters on strikes, allowed 29 bases on balls, and allowed opposing batters to post only a .149 batting average against him.

Prior to his injury in 2024, the hitters he faced only batted .206 against him. Even during his recovery, MLB Pipeline had made Tiedemann one of the Blue Jays' top prospects. Today, he's the Toronto organization's fourth-best prospect.

Ricky Tiedemann has spent the past two seasons working back to full health.

Now cleared for Spring Training, the #BlueJays' No. 4 prospect enters 2026 back in the pitching picture: https://t.co/2viCqIOUAt pic.twitter.com/aLG3twQI76

– MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 26, 2025

The left-hander had exceptional fastball velocity before the injury. He could be a starter when he returns, but Toronto has the luxury of seeing if he's back to his old standards or if he'd be better off playing in the relief bullpen.

Certainly, Tiedemann is in a position to make a breakthrough in 2026. But the problem remains: he has to stay on the field, and no one can confirm that this will be the case.

This content was created with the help of AI.