Toronto Blue Jays announce starting pitchers for next five spring training games
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have announced their starting pitchers for next five spring training games.
The Toronto Blue Jays have mapped out their pitching plans for the next five Grapefruit League contests, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.
Blue Jays upcoming Grapefruit League starters
Tues vs NYY- TBD, likely a minor leaguer
Weds @ DET - Cody Ponce
Thurs vs MIA - Kevin Gausman
Fri @ TBR - Eric Lauer
Sat vs PHI (SS) - Dylan Cease
Sat @ NYY (SS) - Jose Berrios
Tues vs NYY- TBD, likely a minor leaguer
Weds @ DET - Cody Ponce
Thurs vs MIA - Kevin Gausman
Fri @ TBR - Eric Lauer
Sat vs PHI (SS) - Dylan Cease
Sat @ NYY (SS) - Jose Berrios
Ponce and Cease to make Blue Jays debut
Toronto opens the stretch Tuesday against the New York Yankees, though a starter has not yet been confirmed. The assignment is expected to go to a minor-league arm.
On Wednesday, right-hander Cody Ponce will take the mound versus the Detroit Tigers, marking his first appearance in a Blue Jays uniform.
Ponce is coming off a dominant season overseas with the Hanwha Eagles, where he posted a 1.89 ERA and 0.935 WHIP over 180 2/3 innings.
His performance earned him the Choi Dong-won Award as the league's top starter, along with MVP honours.
Veteran Kevin Gausman is slated to make his spring debut Thursday.
One of Toronto's most reliable pitchers during his tenure, Gausman has yet to receive an Opening Day start for the club, something that could change when the Blue Jays begin the 2026 regular season on March 26 against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre.
Left-hander Eric Lauer will get the ball Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays in his second outing of the spring.
Lauer appeared in 28 games last season, including 15 starts, compiling a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA.
Saturday features a split-squad schedule against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Dylan Cease is set to make his Blue Jays debut after signing a seven-year, $210-million contract following stints with the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres.
Despite a 4.55 ERA in 2025, Cease recorded his fifth consecutive 200-strikeout campaign. José Berrios will start the club's other split-squad game.
In addition, George Springer is expected to make his first Grapefruit League appearance Thursday against the Marlins.
It will also mark Kazuma Okamoto's final game with the Blue Jays before he departs to represent Japan at the World Baseball Classic.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23|118 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays announce starting pitchers for next five spring training games Who are you looking forward to see make their Blue Jays spring debut the most? | ||
| Dylan Cease | 64 | 54.2 % |
| Cody Ponce | 18 | 15.3 % |
| Kevin Gausman | 36 | 30.5 % |
| List of polls | ||