Blue Jays manager John Schneider recently shared some tough news about pitcher Cody Ponce, who was forced to leave a game due to an injury. Ponce has a sprained anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee – thankfully, it’s not fully torn. However, he will be sidelined for a significant time. The team still hopes he might pitch later this season, but no one can say for sure yet, as they are waiting on more medical opinions.
This injury is a big setback for both Ponce and the Blue Jays. He had a fantastic season overseas in Korea in 2025, where he recorded 180 2/3 innings and a 1.89 ERA with the Hanwha Eagles. Following that, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays, aiming for a strong return to the majors. Unfortunately, his debut took a painful turn when he got injured fielding a ground ball.
Now, the team faces another hurdle with their starting rotation. Other key pitchers like Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and José Berríos are also recovering from injuries. Initially, the Blue Jays managed to cope with a solid starting five, including Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Eric Lauer, Ponce, and Max Scherzer.
With Ponce out, they’ll need someone to fill his spot temporarily. Yesavage, Bieber, and Berríos are all making progress in their recoveries, with Yesavage expected to pitch 45 innings in a simulated game this week. Until any of them is ready, the Jays face a bit of a squeeze.
Names like Lazaro Estrada, Adam Macko, CJ Van Eyk, and Chad Dallas are being considered to step up. Estrada might get the call soon, as reports suggest he is already in the clubhouse. He had a rough outing last year, allowing seven earned runs in 7 1/3 innings for the Jays, but the team is hopeful he can rise to the occasion.
In terms of options, Macko is on the roster but hasn’t yet made his MLB debut, posting a 5.06 ERA last year in Triple-A. Van Eyk and Dallas are more of a wildcard. Although they’re not currently on the 40-man roster, the Jays have flexibility thanks to recent roster moves.
The pressure is on, especially with many pitchers slated to become free agents after this season. A strong performance by a young arm could secure a spot in the rotation for the future. If Ponce’s recovery takes longer, it could reshape the pitching landscape for the Jays in 2027.
In essence, the Blue Jays are at a crossroads. They hope to navigate this injury while still vying for a solid season. The coming days will be crucial, determining who can rise to the challenge and possibly secure their place in the team’s future.
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