Why Blue Jays' Cody Ponce unexpectedly left first MLB outing since 2021 against Rockies

Right-hander Cody Ponce had a much shorter Toronto Blue Jays debut than anticipated. 

It was the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization MVP's first Major League game since 2021, but he lasted just 2.1 innings and had to be carted off the field following an injury on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies. 

"Ponce was running toward first base to field a ground ball off the bat of the Rockies’ Jake McCarthy in the third inning, when he reached down and bobbled his first play on the ball," MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reported. "As he tried to adjust his body to scoop up the ball again, he pulled up in pain, grabbing the back of his right leg, and went down on the infield dirt." 

Cody Ponce had to be carted off in his Blue Jays debut after collapsing trying to field a ground ball pic.twitter.com/FO0YUfYlZz

Ponce won last season's KBO Pitching Triple Crown with the Hanwha Eagles, posting a 1.84 ERA with 17 wins and 252 strikeouts in 29 starts. The 31-year-old's performance in South Korea earned him a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays. 

With 12 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA in 13.2 innings during spring training, Ponce looked ready to make a significant impact in Toronto's rotation. Now, he may be in danger of spending a huge chunk of time on the injured list, depending on the severity of the injury that forced him out of Monday's outing. 

More MLB news:

• Alex Cora goes off on umpire after ABS system showed he was horrible this weekend
• Red Sox writer is convinced team will steal Mets ace after he made comments about Yankees
• Yankees made New York history after sweeping Giants, doing something that’s never been done before
• Cubs’ Craig Counsell said the worst possible thing about Shota Imanaga
• Cubs make tough roster decision on player they landed in trade with Yankees
• Dodgers young starter reveals whether he’s worried about velocity dropping during Diamondbacks game