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Top prospect Ricky Tiedemann draws raves at Toronto Blue Jays training camp

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Tiedemann throws live batting practice during Spring Training action in Dunedin, Fla. on Feb. 17.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann did some minor tinkering with his workout routine in the off-season and it led to some major results.

His stuff on the mound has drawn raves too.

The 21-year-old left-hander added more muscle to his six-foot-four frame over the winter. The extra mass has helped with daily recovery, Tiedemann said, adding he feels strong and ready to take his game to the next level.

“He has really good momentum coming into this camp, he’s obviously in tremendous shape,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “We just want to see him pitch. We want to build him up properly and just see him.

“His stuff is pretty damn good. We’re interested to see how it’s going to play against hitters this spring.”

Left biceps inflammation cut into Tiedemann’s innings total last season, when he pitched 44 frames across four minor-league levels. He also spent time in the Arizona Fall League and was named pitcher of the year after striking out 23 batters over 18 innings.

Tiedemann said he increased his meal portions slightly and started using heavier weights in recent months. He incorporated more traditional lifts like squats and deadlifts into a more consistent routine and the benefits were noticeable.

“I think just having that little bit more size kind of helps you recover a little bit better,” he said Sunday. “I think right now it’s just a matter of loosening back up and getting into throwing shape rather than being as strong as I possibly can.

“So it’s just that ramp-up stage (now) where you’re just trying to get as loose as possible for the season and then also try to maintain that strength throughout the year as well.”

A third-round pick (91st overall) in the 2021 draft, Tiedemann is Toronto’s highest-ranked prospect at No. 29 on MLB Pipeline’s list.

Players and coaches gathered at the team’s development complex to watch the southpaw throw live batting practice over the weekend.

“He’s got a booming fastball,” said catcher Danny Jansen. “Obviously, he’s got a good slider and a good change-up as well. So it’s exciting to have that arm. And he’s a great guy too. That combo is awesome.”

As tempting as it might be to slot a youngster like Tiedemann into the five-man rotation, chances are good he’ll continue his development in the minor leagues this season.

The Blue Jays have one of the deepest rotations in the big leagues with Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi anchored in the top four. Alek Manoah is a good bet for the fifth spot with Bowden Francis, Mitch White and Yariel Rodriguez also in the mix.

“He needs to pitch,” Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said of Tiedemann. “You never know if someone is big-league ready until they’re there and see how they respond. It’s a different animal at that level.

“But I do love his stuff and I love his presence, his work ethic and his focus. He has all the intangibles to be a great major-league starter and it’s just a matter of when that time is.”

Tiedemann boasts a high-90s fastball with a sweeping slider and change-up that can handcuff hitters.

“Everyone falls in love with his heater, (his) good breaking ball and his arm slot and all that stuff,” Schneider said. “But I think the change-up is a huge pitch for him. When you’re talking about a starter especially and getting deeper into games.”

Tiedemann said his immediate goal is to build up his innings and be a reliable option every fifth day. And he feels that he’s ready to crack Toronto’s five-man rotation.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel like I could,” he said. “But I mean it’s obviously up to them. I just have to make sure I’m doing my job on my end and be ready for when that time comes.”

Notes: The Blue Jays agreed to terms with designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach on a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league spring training. He hit .233 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs over 104 games with the New York Mets last season.

 

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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