Blue Jays Bolster Starting Pitching with Cody Ponce

the Toronto Blue Jays are aggressively strengthening their starting rotation, a key component of their success over the last four seasons.

Today, the club announced the signing of Dylan Cease to a $210 million contract and simultaneously agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with right-handed starter Cody Ponce. A source with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the agreement to USA TODAY Sports, speaking on the condition of anonymity as the contract, initially reported by The Athletic, isn’t yet official.

So, who is Cody Ponce?

He’s the latest pitcher to begin his major league career, refine his skills playing abroad, and return a finished product. Ponce, 25, pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 and 2021, posting a 5.67 ERA in 23 appearances (11 starts). He then spent the last two seasons with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League.

In Japan, ponce thrived. He went 13-6 with a 3.32 ERA across 26 starts, showcasing improved command and velocity. He struck out 171 batters in 154.2 innings. The Blue Jays clearly believe Ponce can replicate that success back in MLB.

Ponce provides valuable depth and competition for the Blue Jays’ rotation. He won’t be expected to be a frontline starter, but he offers a solid option for the back end and could prove a valuable swingman.This signing demonstrates the Blue Jays’ commitment to building a deep and resilient pitching staff capable of contending in a tough AL East.

Publication Date: 2025/12/03 06:22:20