Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce carted off with injury in first MLB start in 5 years

Ponce, 31, sustained the injury while trying to field a bouncing ground ball between the pitcher's mound and first base in the third inning.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:31pm

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce was carted off the field in his first MLB start since 2021 with an apparent leg injury. Ponce, 31, sustained the injury while trying to field a bouncing ground ball between the pitcher's mound and first base in the third inning of the Blue Jays' 14-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday night at the Rogers Centre.

Why it matters

Ponce was projected to be a big part of the Blue Jays' starting rotation as they look to return to the World Series after falling just two outs shy of beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year's Fall Classic. His injury is a significant setback for the team's pitching plans.

The details

Ponce seemed to take a bad step and hobbled for a couple of strides before falling to the infield dirt. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. immediately waved toward the dugout before Ponce crumpled to the ground. Ponce had last pitched in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, pitching to a 7.04 ERA in 15 appearances. He spent three seasons in Japan before pitching in South Korea in 2025, and earned a three-year, $30 million contract from the Blue Jays this offseason.

  • Ponce was injured in the third inning of the Blue Jays' game against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • Ponce last pitched in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021.

The players

Cody Ponce

A 31-year-old pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who was making his first MLB start since 2021 after spending time in Japan and South Korea.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays who immediately waved to the dugout after Ponce was injured.

Dylan Cease

A pitcher who signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays this offseason to help fortify their starting rotation.

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What’s next

It is unclear when Ponce could return to action.

The takeaway

Ponce's injury is a significant setback for the Blue Jays' pitching plans as they look to build on their success from last season and return to the World Series. The team will have to find a way to fill the void left by Ponce's absence in the starting rotation.