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Assessing Ricky Tiedemann’s chances of impacting the Blue Jays in 2026
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jun 21, 2026, 10:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 21, 2026, 07:42 EDT
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Ricky Tiedemann is back.
On June 16th, the Toronto Blue Jays’ former top prospect made his long-waited return after nearly two years off while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In his inning of work, the lefty gave up an earned run, but struck out two. Then on Saturday, he started for the Florida Complex League Blue Jays, firing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
Since his breakout season in 2022, it’s been nothing but injuries for Tiedemann. Once a top 100 prospect, the hard-throwing lefty has dropped down the Blue Jays’ prospect rankings, not just because of injuries, but also because of the farm system’s improvement these past two years.
Still, there’s some prospect shine surrounding the left-handed pitcher. Selected in the third round in the 2021 draft, Tiedemann won’t be 24 years old until mid-August. He’s also a hard throwing lefty, something that is quite rare. On top of a mid-90s fastball that reaches near triple-digits, Tiedemann has a plus changeup and an above-average slider.
Since he threw 78.2 innings in rapid ascent up the minor league ladder in 2022, Tiedemann has pitched just 63.1 innings the last four years. Paired with command issues that have plagued him since the start of the 2023 season, there’s reliever risk.
Coming out of the bullpen may not be the worst thing in the world, at least for his chances for a call-up in 2026. Tiedemann was added to the 40-man roster before the 2025 Rule 5 draft, and the Blue Jays bullpen could use a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher who can strikeout batters, especially down the stretch.
As it stands, they have just one left-handed reliever in the bullpen, Mason Fluharty. Joe Mantiply is on the 60-day injured list, Adam Macko was recently optioned to Triple-A, and Brendon Little once again struggled in his recent call-up. 
Depending on the Blue Jays’ trade deadline moves and how he performs once returning to the Buffalo Bisons, Tiedemann could be in a position to earn himself a September call-up when the rosters expand.
Ultimately, Tiedemann holds more value as a starter, pretty much all pitchers do. He’ll surely get another opportunity to start, probably even this season, but having Tiedemann throwing heat out of the bullpen in September is an enticing proposition.
But before a potential call-up, he’ll have to stay healthy, command his pitches, and perform well.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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