Toronto Blue Jays provide injury update on Ponce and it doesn't sound good

The start of Cody Ponce's tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays hasn't gone the way anybody would have hoped.

There was plenty of excitement surrounding Ponce after the Jays signed him to a three-year, $30 million deal in the offseason. It also marked a return to the MLB for Ponce, who had spent the prior four years dominating the NBP and KBO.

After an excellent spring training, many, including NFL star George Kittle, were at Rogers Stadium to watch his Blue Jays tenure officially kick off on Monday night. Unfortunately, he lasted just 2.1 innings.

Cody Ponce had to be carted off in his Blue Jays debut after collapsing trying to field a ground ball pic.twitter.com/FO0YUfYlZz

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 30, 2026

In the top of the third inning, Ponce went to field a ground ball off the bat of Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy. Though it appeared to be a routine play, Ponce misjudged the bounce of the ball. When trying to reposition himself, he extended his right knee and went down in a heap of pain.

Though it was initially unclear as to how severe the injury to Ponce was, manager John Schneider informed reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the 31-year-old has been diagnosed with an ACL strain. 

Cody Ponce’s diagnosis right now is a right ACL sprain.

More doctors are reviewing the MRI now to see if there’s a full tear for the final diagnosis.

Schneider says the #BlueJays are “holding onto” hope he can pitch again this year, but will miss significant time regardless.

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 31, 2026

Though an exact timeline has yet to be revealed, the Blue Jays don't expect to have Ponce back on the mound anytime soon.

"He'll miss significant time," Schneider told reporters.

Cody Ponce has a right ACL sprain (knee).

Team is waiting on a second opinion on the MRI but Schneider said “ he’ll miss significant time.”

— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 31, 2026

This injury puts further pressure on an already hobbled Jays rotation. They began the season with Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage already on the IL. In their absence, they've gone with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Eric Lauer, and Max Scherzer.