Toronto Blue Jays provide latest update on Cody Ponce knee injury

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Cody Ponce’s long-awaited return to the majors went sideways quick on Monday night.

Making his first MLB start since 2021, Ponce was forced to leave the game in the third inning after suffering a knee injury during the Blue Jays’ matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Rogers Centre.

While charging toward first base to field a slow ground ball off the bat of Jake McCarthy, Ponce injured his right leg and collapsed in visible pain.

Medical staff quickly rushed to his aid, and he was ultimately carted off the field.

According to an early report from Sportsnet's Hazel Mae, the injury is listed as "right-knee discomfort" as per the team until further evacuations are complete.

MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reported after the game that John Schneider said Ponce is currently undergoing an MRI and his hoping for the best.

Hazel Mae noted that John Schneider added: “he felt it hyperextend a little bit.”

His status now opens a major question for the Blue Jays, with Berrios (slated for a two-up bullpen in Florida on Tuesday and a live batting practice Saturday), Yesavage (three-inning, 45-pitch sim game Friday) and Bieber (off a mound for the first time this year Saturday) all weeks away from returning.

One wrong step from Ponce, with starters Berrios, Yesavage and Bieber not yet on the horizon, is all it took to disrupt the stability of the rotation and leave the bullpen in a bad spot.

A good outing by Max Scherzer on Tuesday can help everyone reset, but the Blue Jays are suddenly facing an immediate need and a gap until their pitching depth, which looked like a possible surplus before Monday, is going to be ready.

Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Brendon Little meltdown has Toronto Blue Jays fans running him out of town