Blue Jays Linked to Trade for A's All-Star Pitcher After Injury

Toronto looks to bolster rotation after Cody Ponce goes down with injury.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:10pm

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The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly exploring a trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire an All-Star starting pitcher, following an injury to Cody Ponce that has left a hole in their rotation. The Blue Jays had one of the better starting rotations in MLB entering the 2026 season, but the Ponce injury has them searching for reinforcements.

Why it matters

The Blue Jays are considered a top contender in the American League, so adding an impact starting pitcher could be crucial to their playoff hopes. The A's, meanwhile, are in the midst of preparing for their move to Las Vegas in 2028 and may be open to dealing some of their veteran talent.

The details

According to reports, the Blue Jays have been linked to a potential trade with the A's for one of their All-Star caliber starting pitchers. This comes after Cody Ponce, a key member of Toronto's rotation, went down with an injury that will sideline him for an extended period. The A's have been busy locking up their young core players ahead of the franchise's relocation, but veteran hurlers like Luis Severino may be available in the right deal.

  • Cody Ponce suffered his injury in late March 2026, just before the start of the MLB season.

The players

Toronto Blue Jays

A Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and a member of the American League East division.

Oakland Athletics

A Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California, and a member of the American League West division. The A's are planning to relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2028.

Cody Ponce

A starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who suffered an injury that will sideline him for an extended period.

Luis Severino

An All-Star caliber starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics who may be available in a trade as the franchise prepares to move to Las Vegas.

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What’s next

The Blue Jays will likely need to act quickly to find a replacement for Ponce in their rotation, and a trade with the A's could be their best option. The two teams will need to agree on the right package of players and prospects to make a deal work.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the challenges teams face in maintaining rotation depth over the course of a long MLB season, as well as the opportunities that can arise when a contender suffers an injury to a key player. The Blue Jays' search for pitching reinforcements could have major implications on the AL playoff race.