The Toronto Blue Jays‘ murky pitching situation continues to be the story of their season.
Top pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann is set to get a second opinion on his left elbow after suffering an injury setback earlier in the month, manager John Schneider said Friday.
Tiedemann, 21, made his last appearance on July 10 with triple-A Buffalo against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He exited the game early with forearm tightness after a first inning that saw him throw 27 pitches.
He finished with one strikeout, one hit and three walks for one earned run.
The left-hander has been recovering from ulnar nerve inflammation that forced him onto the injured list earlier this season in mid-April after three starts with triple-A Buffalo.
He started the first four games of his rehab assignment in Florida at lower levels. He allowed one run while striking out 15 and walking two in his past three starts for single-A Dunedin over a total of 7.2 innings.
This season with Buffalo, Tiedemann has a 5.63 ERA with 10 strikeouts and nine walks.
In 2023, Tiedemann threw 62 innings across three minor-league levels and the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He finished the MiLB season with a 3.68 ERA, 82 strikeouts and 23 walks.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Tiedemann is facing a setback in his season after suffering an elbow injury. The 24-year-old left-hander was placed on the injured list last week after experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm during a recent game.
Tiedemann, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, has been a promising prospect for the team. He made his major league debut earlier this season and has shown flashes of potential on the mound.
However, the injury has raised concerns about his long-term health and ability to continue pitching at the highest level. Tiedemann has sought a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to determine the extent of the damage to his elbow.
Elbow injuries are common among pitchers, as the repetitive stress of throwing a baseball at high speeds can put a strain on the ligaments and tendons in the arm. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage and allow the player to return to full strength.
The Blue Jays are hopeful that Tiedemann’s injury is not serious and that he will be able to recover with rest and rehabilitation. However, they are also preparing for the possibility that he may need to undergo surgery and miss an extended period of time.
In the meantime, Tiedemann will work closely with the team’s medical staff to develop a treatment plan and timeline for his recovery. His teammates and coaches have expressed their support for him during this difficult time and are hopeful that he will be back on the mound soon.
As fans await further updates on Tiedemann’s condition, they can take comfort in knowing that he is in good hands with the Blue Jays’ medical team and Dr. Andrews. With proper care and treatment, Tiedemann has a good chance of making a full recovery and returning to the field stronger than ever.