Ponce's Jays Debut Cut Short by Knee Injury

It's March 31st. From first pitch to the final out, this is MLB News Today, powered by AI.

I'm Cory with the story.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponds hit a rough patch in his team debut against the Colorado Rockies,

hurting his right knee while chasing a ground.

Ball in the third inning and getting carded off the field.

On the play, Ponce stumbled behind first base going after Jake McCarthy's infield hit,

which led Colorado's Kyle Carroll score from third for A, one nothing lead.

Before exiting after two and one third innings, Ponce struck out three,

walked one, gave up just one hit and that run with 30 of his 47 pitches for strikes.

This is a big blow for the Jays, who signed the 30-year-old to a $30 million,

three-year deal last December as defending American League.

Shomp. Ponce dominated last season in South Korea with the Hanwai Eagles,

going 17-1 with a 1.89 earned run average, snacking.

League MVP and the pitching triple crown.

His paths to Toronto included getting picked by Milwaukee

and the second round of the 2015 draft then traded to Pittsburgh where he struggled.

With a 1-7 record and 5.86 ERA over five starts and 15 release spots in 2020 and 2021.

He bounced to Japan next, pitching for teams there before Korea.

Louis-Varlin stepped in for Ponce, but the early exit leaves the Jays

holding their breath on the knee injury update as they push forward in the season.