Blue Jays Top Pitching Prospect Sidelined with Elbow Soreness

Ricky Tiedemann will miss at least one week as the team takes a cautious approach with the 23-year-old.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Toronto Blue Jays have high hopes for pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann, but the 23-year-old has been shut down for at least one week due to left elbow soreness. An initial MRI showed no structural damage, but the team will take a cautious approach with Tiedemann, who recently returned from Tommy John surgery.

Why it matters

Tiedemann is considered one of the Blue Jays' top pitching prospects and was expected to potentially make his MLB debut this season. Any setback with his elbow could delay his development and impact the team's plans for the future rotation.

The details

After reaching Triple-A Buffalo in 2024, the Blue Jays were hoping to be aggressive with Tiedemann's development, but he has now been shut down for at least a week with left elbow soreness. An initial MRI showed 'nothing structural', but the team will take a cautious approach given Tiedemann's recent Tommy John surgery recovery.

  • On Tuesday, the Blue Jays announced Tiedemann would be shut down for at least one week.

The players

Ricky Tiedemann

A 23-year-old pitching prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays organization who was expected to potentially make his MLB debut this season.

Toronto Blue Jays

A Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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What they’re saying

“Just as Ricky Tiedemann was building some momentum again in Spring Training, he has been shut down for the next week with left elbow soreness. The good news is that an initial MRI showed 'nothing structural' in Tiedemann's elbow, but the bad news is that we're talking about his elbow at all.”

— Keegan Matheson, MLB.com reporter (MLB.com)

“I feel amazing. Everything feels great. It's just about seeing live batters and getting that feel back, but health-wise? Everything's been money.”

— Ricky Tiedemann (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Blue Jays will continue to monitor Tiedemann's elbow and take a cautious approach with his recovery, hoping he can return to action within the next week.

The takeaway

This setback for Tiedemann is a reminder that even top pitching prospects can face injury challenges, and the Blue Jays will need to carefully manage his development to ensure he can reach his full potential and contribute to the major league club.