Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that top prospect Ricky Tiedemann has ulnar nerve inflammation and not a tear in his elbow. Tiedemann could return to throwing in a week to 10 days. The 21-year-old lefty has made three starts with triple-A Buffalo this season and has a 5.63 ERA and 10 strikeouts over eight innings. Tiedemann was the Blue Jays’ third-round pick in 2021 and has since become the most highly touted prospect in Toronto’s ranks. He spent most of the 2023 season in double-A New Hampshire, where he posted a 5.06 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. Tie ..read more

As the Los Angeles Dodgers arrive in Toronto for this weekend’s series, Blue Jays pitchers are focused on sticking to their strengths rather than attacking hitters’ weaknesses. The Dodgers offence enters Friday’s game having scored the second most runs in the majors, hit the third most home runs, and has the second-highest OPS. Led by the All-Star trio of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, keeping Los Angeles off the scoreboard is a tall task for even the best pitchers in baseball. While appearing on Blair & Barker Friday afternoon, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said T ..read more

CALGARY — The off-season is officially underway for the Calgary Flames.  And while this summer doesn’t carry the same weight compared to where things sat one year ago, there’s still plenty that needs to get figured out.  The Flames have missed the playoffs two straight years. They’ve begun a retooling process with an eye on contending in the future. And they have significant player decisions to make over the next few months.  Here’s just a little of what’s on general manager Craig Conroy’s plate as he enters his second summer at the helm.  Jacob Markstrom’s future  Hea ..read more

HELSINKI — The Men’s U18 World Championship, which got underway Thursday, are the last major event on the international scouting calendar for the 2023-24 season. Finland is hosting the tournament this year, just outside of Helsinki in Vaanta and Espoo. All of the NHL teams, their crossover scouts, and several general managers are in attendance taking notes on some of the top prospects ahead of the draft combine in Buffalo, and eventually the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas from June 28-29. Over the course of the tournament, I will be sharing my observations on players who are standing out at the e ..read more

LOS ANGELES — When the Edmonton Oilers reeled off their 16-game winning streak this season, they allowed an average of 1.50 goals per game against over that stretch. In four games against the Los Angeles Kings this season, Edmonton allowed an average of 2.25 goals against per game. Through Games 1 and 2 of their series with the Kings, the Oilers have given up eight goals in regulation, and one more in overtime. Sure, they kicked a couple into their own net in Game 1. But the theme for Edmonton, as they roll into L.A. for Games 3 and 4 at Crypto.com Arena, is to get back to being a stingy ..read more

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NEW YORK — There is a buzz around the opening of WNBA training camps with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the rest of her heralded rookie class and major offseason free agency moves that included former All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith landing in Seattle. In addition to the league’s success last year, camps open Sunday on the heels of an unprecedented season of college women’s basketball. The momentum has led to record-setting viewership of the WNBA draft, season ticket sales have skyrocketed and rookie jerseys for Clark and Angel Reese have already sold ..read more

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Malcolm Spence had two goals and an assist as Canada thumped Czechia 6-0 in a penalty-filled affair Friday at the world men’s under-18 hockey championship. Tij Iginla also had two goals and Carter George made 26 saves for the shutout Gavin McKenna had a goal and two assists and Carson Wetsch also scored as Canada improved to 2-0. Captain Porter Martone had three assists. Czech starting goaltender Jakub Milota allowed four goals on nine shots before being replaced by Bretislav Vystrcil, who made 22 saves on 24 shots in relief. The teams combined for 103 penalty minutes, with three game miscondu ..read more