A positive development unfolded in Florida on Friday: Ricky Tiedemann was back in action, pitching in a game for the first time since April 11 — his final start with triple-A Buffalo before ulnar nerve inflammation in his left elbow sidelined him for two months.
Tiedemann began a rehab assignment Friday morning in the Florida Complex League, facing the New York Yankees’ FCL affiliate in Tampa, Fla. He didn’t light up the box score, but that’s less important right now. The best news is that the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospect is healthy again.
Still, the 21-year-old hurler likely won’t be pleased with his outing, as the left-hander allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out the final batter he faced. He was lifted after just one-third of an inning in the bottom half of the first.
Understandably, Tiedemann’s command was a bit rusty in his return to a live-game environment, uncorking a pair of wild pitches on top of the two free passes he issued. As such, his day was cut short after facing just five batters, with four reaching base safely.
All things considered, it’s a small bump in the road as the 6-foot-4 lefty looks to get back on track after spending the last two months on the shelf. If he recovers well from this outing, his rehab assignment will likely advance to single-A Dunedin, as MLB.com’s
Keegan Matheson reports. From there, he’ll continue building up with his eyes set on returning to triple-A.
Prior to hitting the IL, Tiedemann — a third-round selection by Toronto in 2021 — made three starts with the Bisons, pitching to a 5.62 ERA with 10 strikeouts and nine walks allowed over eight innings.
If he stays healthy, there’s a strong chance the talented Blue Jays prospect could make his major league debut in the second half at some point.
