Blue Jays snag KBO ace Cody Ponce to add to rotational depth

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Multiple reports have the Toronto club reaching terms with the right-hander on a three-year, $30-million US deal.

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Published Dec 02, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Cody Ponce throws to a Washington Nationals batter on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Photo by Keith Srakocic /THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArticle content

The busy and productive offseason of Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins continued on Tuesday with the addition of an intriguing pitcher that at the least provides starting depth and possibly adds a key rotational arm.

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Multiple reports have the Jays reaching terms with right-hander Cody Ponce on a three-year, $30-million US deal, bringing him back to North America to once again pitch at the sport’s highest level.

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Ponce, who hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2021, brings some impressive credentials after being named MVP of the KBO League in South Korea last season.

MVP in Korea last season

The 31-year-old has split the past four seasons between Japan and Korea after last pitching in the majors for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

His impressive 2025 season certainly paved his way back to the big leagues, however, after he went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA with 252 strikeouts over 180.2 innings for the Hanwha Eagles. The strikeout total was a KBO season record and included an eye-popping game in May in which he struck out 18 batters.

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With a fastball in the 95 mile-per-hour range complemented by an effective splitter, Ponce easily had the most effective season of his pro career which also placed him in high demand from multiple MLB teams.

The fastball velocity climbed almost two miles per hours from what Ponce showed when he was last throwing off a mound in North America.

The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder was selected in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jays haven’t yet confirmed deal

The Jays have yet to confirm the deal, but the addition complements the signing of Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million US deal, which the team made official on Tuesday.

While there is risk with the deal given that Ponce will have to prove himself against much better hitters than he did in Asia, he wouldn’t be the first pitcher to make the transition from the KBO to the big leagues.

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In fact, the Jays reaped the rewards of such a player last season when Eric Lauer was a valued member of their rotation, especially during lean parts of the regular season when the starting group was reduced.

Where Ponce fits remains to be seen, but he joins a group that includes Kevin Gausman, Cease, Shane Bieber, rookie Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Lauer. Paying him $30 million, however, suggests that the Jays have significant plans for the newcomer.

The deal, which is conditional on Ponce passing a physical, also provides some potential security for the future given that Gausman and Bieber will be free agents following the 2026 season.

Blue Jays snag KBO ace Cody Ponce to add to rotational depth

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