The Toronto Blue Jays are taking things easy with left-hander Ricky Tiedemann.

Injuries have ravaged Tiedemann’s career, with the 24-year-old missing all of the 2025 season due to injury. He returned to the diamond in 2026 on June 16th after a setback in Spring Training, making two starts for the FCL Jays before he landed back on the sidelines for over a month. Tiedemann returned to the diamond on July 25th, appearing in two games for the Jays before getting moved to Buffalo, where he continued to work out of the bullpen for the Bisons.

On August 15th, Toronto called up the California product to the big league roster, where he appeared against the Yankees later that night. It was a bullpen game for Toronto, with over seven different pitchers being used in the contest. Facing a Yankees lineup that featured numerous left-handed bats, Tiedemann entered the game following starter Braydon Fisher in the second inning. The southpaw would go 1.2 innings, striking out two while allowing two hits and one earned run in his foray with the top club. The top prospect struck out Austin Wells and Ben Rice before being lifted for Simeon Woods-Richardson, and was sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball.

The debut was short and sweet for Tiedemann, who was sent back to Buffalo on August 16th with the Jays bringing back fellow left-hander Brendon Little to the big league roster.

Since his return to Buffalo, Tiedemann continues to work out of the bullpen for the Bisons. This seems strategic in many ways, one being to conserve his innings considering the lengthy injury history, but it also seems like the Jays are keeping him fresh for a potential call-up when the roster expands on September 1st.

Tiedemann has made two appearances out of the pen since his demotion, tossing two innings with zero earned runs allowed, two hits, two walks, and one hit batter. They weren’t the cleanest outings for the former JUCO bandit, but he was able to keep the runs from crossing home plate despite the wildness.

The Jays are likely keeping tabs on Tiedemann when it comes to his pitch and innings limit, but there is a chance he could be back with Toronto later this season. Tiedemann features electric stuff when things are firing on all cylinders, and his career 14.4 K/9 rate is evidence of that. His walk rate is a bit high given where he is now (4.3 BB/9), but for a Jays squad that is looking for another left-hander to supplement Mason Fluharty in the bullpen, Tiedemann is a viable option.

Joe Manitply may put a wrench in those plans if he can find his pre-injury form, but the Jays continue to have Tiedemann work out of the bullpen in what appears to be a strategic gameplay for both the player and the big league squad down the stretch.

Stay ahead of the first pitch! From breaking news, unexpected trades and must-read analysis, BlueJaysNation delivers the insight serious Jays fans rely on—straight to your inbox. Sign up for the Bluejaysnation newsletter here!