Blue Jays Starter Cody Ponce Suffers Significant ACL Injury

Ponce will miss extended time after spraining his right knee in first start back in MLB

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion, with sharp planes of color representing the disruption caused by the Blue Jays' rash of pitching injuries.A cubist interpretation of a Blue Jays pitcher's motion, reflecting the fragmented nature of the team's injury-plagued rotation.Today in Pittsburgh

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed starter Cody Ponce will miss significant time after suffering an ACL sprain in his right knee during his first MLB start since 2021. Ponce, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Jays in the offseason after successful stints pitching in Japan and Korea, was carted off the field on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies. The 31-year-old will undergo further evaluation to determine if surgery is required, but at minimum he is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, dealing a major blow to the Blue Jays' rotation as they aim to defend their American League pennant.

Why it matters

Ponce's injury is a significant setback for the Blue Jays, who were counting on the right-hander to be an important part of their starting rotation this season. The Jays are already dealing with injuries to other key pitchers like José Berríos and Shane Bieber, putting added pressure on the rest of the staff as they try to fend off a competitive AL East.

The details

Ponce suffered the ACL sprain while fielding his position during the second inning of Monday's game against the Rockies. He was carted off the field, suggesting a serious injury, and an MRI later confirmed the ACL sprain. The Blue Jays eventually lost the game 14-5, though Ponce had pitched solidly in 2 1/3 innings before the injury occurred.

  • On March 31, 2026, Cody Ponce suffered the ACL sprain in his first MLB start since 2021.
  • Ponce will undergo further examination to determine if surgery is necessary.

The players

Cody Ponce

A 31-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the team in the offseason after successful stints pitching in Japan and Korea.

John Schneider

The manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

José Berríos

A starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who suffered a stress fracture in his elbow this spring.

Shane Bieber

A starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who is on the injured list with elbow inflammation.

Trey Yesavage

One of the top pitching prospects in baseball who is on the injured list with a shoulder impingement.

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What they’re saying

“Ponce will undergo further examination to determine if surgery is necessary, and at the very least he'll miss 'significant time' with limited hope that he'll pitch again this season.”

— John Schneider, Manager, Toronto Blue Jays

What’s next

The Blue Jays will wait for the results of Ponce's further examination to determine the extent of the injury and whether surgery is required. In the meantime, the team will have to rely on the rest of their injury-plagued rotation to try and defend their American League pennant.

The takeaway

Cody Ponce's significant ACL injury is a major setback for the Toronto Blue Jays, who were counting on the veteran right-hander to be an important part of their starting rotation this season. With several other key pitchers also dealing with injuries, the Jays' depth will be tested as they try to navigate a competitive AL East race.