On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays placed right-handed pitcher Cody Ponce on the 15-day injured list with a right ACL sprain. Despite only getting the 15-day designation, the Jays said that Ponce is set to miss "significant" time. 

They haven't given a full timeframe yet, but noted orthopedist Dr. David Chao weighed in on social media with the following statement.

(Late as was camping with kids and no internet)

Reports now of ACL sprain

Reminder: a ligament sprain is a tear (Grade 3 sprain is a complete tear)

By video, seems to be clear right ACL tear

Such a shame after 1st @MLB start in 5 years

Chao was the team doctor for the NFL's San Diego Chargers for years, so when he talks, it's certainly worth listening. 

Even though he didn't come out specifically and say that Ponce has a clear "fully torn ACL," it's evident that he's worried about Ponce's future for the rest of the season.

And he's right: It is a shame. Ponce hadn't pitched in the majors since 2021 and came back to the league this offseason after a dominant season in the KBO. He went 17-1 to win the MVP Award and signed a three-year, $30 million deal with Toronto.

Ponce's injury is just the latest for a Blue Jays team that has been snakebitten here in the early going. Depth starter Bowden Francis is out for the season with Tommy John surgery while Shane Bieber (forearm fatigue), Trey Yesavage (right shoulder impingement) and Jose Berrios (stress fracture in elbow) are all on the injured list. The hope is that each can return in fairly short order, but there is no guarantee of that.

At the moment, the rotation is made up of Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Eric Lauer. 

Given that the Blue Jays are expecting all three of those starters back from injury, they may elect to try to piece things together for a little while as opposed to signing a veteran free agent like Lucas Giolito, who remains surprisingly unsigned.

Despite the issues, the Blue Jays are out to a solid start. The defending American League champions defeated the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night to move to 4-1 on the season.

Speaking after the game, outfielder Jesus Sanchez said he had never played on a team like this.

The Jays will play the Rockies again on Wednesday at 1:07 p.m. ET.

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