After spending the last four seasons pitching in Asia, there was an understandable sense of intrigue surrounding right-hander Cody Ponce’s first start with the Blue Jays on Monday. But the 31-year-old’s return to the majors took an unfortunate turn in the third inning when he tried to field a dribbler on the run and landed awkwardly on his right leg, sending him limping to the ground on the infield dirt.
Ponce was clearly in immense pain, so the Blue Jays medical staff had him carted off the field. Later in the game, the Blue Jays announced that Ponce was removed from the game with “right knee discomfort”.
It’s yet another blow to a Blue Jays pitching staff that has already had their share of them this season, with Ponce joining right-handers Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and Bowden Francis on the injured list. Bieber, Yesavage, and Berrios are all scheduled to throw off the mound this week at varying levels of intensity (h/t Sportsnet), however, so the optimistic hope is that they could all be back in the majors within the next month.
Above all else, though, it’s incredibly unfortunate for Ponce. After being selected in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Ponce was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 and had his first major league cup of coffee in 2020, posting a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings pitched.
Ponce struggled heavily in 2021, however, allowing 30 runs in 38 and 1/3 innings pitched for a 7.04 ERA. He was released by the Pirates after the season and signed with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan’s NPB league.
Blue Jays pitchers Cody Ponce (37), Kevin Gausman (34), and Dylan Cease (84).© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
(© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
After three seasons in the NPB, Ponce signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO, Korea’s premier baseball league, where he won the 2025 Most Valuable Player award for his dominance: Ponce went 17-1, threw 180 and 2/3 innings with a 1.89 ERA, and struck out 252 batters in a league known for their bat-to-ball skills.
His incredible season earned him a three year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays this offseason, and on Monday he finally got to take the mound again in the majors, facing the Rockies.
Although a run scored on the play he got injured on, Ponce still looked very sharp in his limited debut. In 2 and 1/3 innings of action, the right-hander struck out three, allowing just one hit and one walk.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.