Home / Sports / Blue Jays' Injured Ace Cody Ponce Poised for Return
Blue Jays' Injured Ace Cody Ponce Poised for Return
5 Nov
Summary
- Cody Ponce, signed for $30 million, returns from ACL injury.
- Ponce was MVP in KBO in 2025 with a 1.89 ERA.
- Santander's availability is uncertain despite a $92.5 million contract.
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking forward to the return of pitcher Cody Ponce, who is recovering from a significant right knee ACL sprain. Ponce suffered the injury on March 30th during his first MLB start since July 3rd, 2021. Before his injury, he had signed a three-year, $30 million deal and had previously been named KBO MVP in 2025 for his impressive 1.89 ERA.
With key pitchers Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber set to become free agents, Ponce's healthy return is vital for the Blue Jays' rotation. He is expected to contribute significantly alongside Dylan Cease and others. The team is investing $20 million over the next two seasons in Ponce, anticipating a high level of performance.
Another player, Anthony Santander, also presents a question mark. Despite signing a $92.5 million contract, he has played sparingly over two seasons due to injuries, including a left shoulder labral tear that caused him to miss the entire 2026 season. While he possesses power, his availability cannot be guaranteed, making Ponce's expected contribution even more critical.
