Blue Jays Manager John Schneider Has One Plan For Cody Ponce
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Spring training is a time for managers to figure out what role certain players will play. The Toronto Blue Jays are still figuring out a few things themselves. However, manager John Schneider has already stated what role newcomer Cody Ponce will have in 2026.
Per SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, Ponce will be a starter this season.
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“The expectation is pitching as a starting pitcher in the rotation. That’s why we sought him out. That’s why he sought us out," Schneider told Nicholson-Smith.
Ponce has not pitched in the MLB since 2021, but he had an excellent career overseas. Last season in Korea, Ponce made 29 starts, finished with a 17-1 record, 180.2 innings pitched, 252 strikeouts, 41 walks, and an ERA below 2.00.
The right-hander's performance last year was enough for the Blue Jays to give him a three-year deal. It was also enough for Schneider to already declare him a starter in the rotation. Now, Ponce will not be the ace of the staff, but he could be the difference-maker over a long season.
Blue Jays Starting Rotation
Along with Ponce, Toronto signed Dylan Cease over the offseason. Cease is one of the best in the game when he is pitching to his full potential. It would not be a surprise to see Schneider hand the ball to Cease on opening day.
However, José Berríos has started three of the last four opening days in Toronto. Last year, Berríos started 30 games for the Blue Jays and finished with a 4.17 ERA. It was not his best year, but it is still a respectable stat line.
The opening day starter will most likely be Kevin Gausman, though. Gausman has been healthy for Toronto. He has made more than 30 starts in each season with Toronto and finished with a 3.59 ERA last year. He has been the workhorse for the Blue Jays, and he should be rewarded for it with an opening-day start in 2026 in what is also a contract year.
With Gausman predicted to be the opening day starter for Toronto, here is what the rest of the rotation looks like:
1. Gausman
2. Cease
3. Trey Yesavage
4. Berríos
5. Ponce
That is a rotation that could end up being the best in the MLB this upcoming season. Ponce has the potential to be the best No. 5 starter in baseball, and he will get ample chances to prove it when the regular season comes around.
Cameron Zunkel is a sports writer from the western suburbs of Chicago. He played Division-II baseball at the University of Illinois at Springfield where he earned a masters degree in Communication. Cameron also played independent league baseball for the Joliet Slammers and Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League. He has been in journalism since 2022 and has a passion for baseball specifically, but he enjoys all sports. His other work includes writing sports betting articles for ClutchPoints. In his free time, you can catch Cam at the gym, on the golf course, or coaching the youth in the beautiful sport of baseball.