Ricky Tiedemann Eyes Major League Return After Tommy John Rehab

This article recaps Ricky Tiedemann’s long road back from Tommy John surgery, his first live session with hitters in nearly a year and a half, and what the Blue Jays hope for as they shape his return. There’s a lot to consider about possible roles and timelines as Toronto tries to manage his innings for a shot at the majors—maybe in 2026.

Tiedemann’s rehab milestone: from surgery to live hitters

The 23-year-old lefty just wrapped up a brutal, drawn-out rehab and finally faced live hitters again for the first time since his surgery. For Tiedemann, the moment wasn’t just about dates on a calendar; getting back into game action felt refreshing and marked a huge step toward fighting his way back into Toronto’s rotation picture.

Before surgery, bone chips messed with his elbow extension and forced him to really yank his slider, throwing off his whole feel and mechanics. Now that he’s had the procedure, he says he’s got full range of motion again and has tinkered with grips on both his changeup and slider.

The rehab process made him rethink how he approaches velocity and command. He’s focusing more on smooth mechanics and being able to repeat his delivery, not just throwing as hard as possible.

He also made real progress off the mound. Dropping from a bulky 245–255 pounds at 2024 camp to a leaner 232–235, he feels quicker, more efficient, and honestly, better set up for the long haul. That new mobility, plus a lighter frame, has given him a fresh shot of confidence and rhythm when he’s pitching.

The Blue Jays still see him as a starter for the future, though they’re being careful with his workload this year. There’s talk of using him out of the bullpen if the situation calls for it. Tiedemann made it clear he’s open to whatever the team needs and says he’ll be ready when they call his name. That’s the kind of attitude that made him a top prospect in the first place.

Role, timeline and the organization’s expectations

Tiedemann once climbed as high as No. 29 among baseball prospects. He admits his momentum slowed during his injury layoff. Still, he describes the recovery as a weight off his shoulders. That reset—both mental and physical—might speed up his development if he can just stay healthy.

Coaches and staff on the Blue Jays’ development side seem to agree. If he keeps the injuries at bay, they see a real shot for him to push into the organization’s top 13 arms in the coming seasons.

Right now, though, the focus feels practical. The team wants to ease him back toward live game conditions. They’re aiming to help him regain his feel for pitching and get his arsenal working again in game-like settings.

They hope for a productive return, ideally in 2026, but they’re not rushing. Durability through a full season matters just as much as the comeback itself.

Tiedemann keeps the message simple: stay the course, protect your health, and be ready when the call comes. The plan lines up his long-term potential with a realistic 2025 path. That could mean bullpen work as a bridge to a full-time rotation role, if everything falls into place.

• Rebuild feel against live hitters as the primary short-term goal
• Ramp up workload gradually to prevent setbacks
• Manage arm health with careful pitch counts and bullpen planning
• Keep working on changeup and slider grips for better separation and command

The next few months could say a lot about where this all goes. If he can turn rehab into steady performance at higher levels, 2026 might get interesting for both Tiedemann and the Blue Jays.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rehab in the past, Tiedemann turns focus to next step: the Majors