According to a recent note from Toronto Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith, manager John Schneider is guaranteeing the newly-signed Cody Ponce a spot in the starting rotation at the outset of 2026.

He signed a three-year deal worth $30 million this offseason, so it seemed like a foregone conclusion for Ponce, but this is still undoubtedly reassuring for him to hear.

Here in Lakeland, Fla. John Schneider said the Blue Jays plan for Cody Ponce to be in the rotation. He’s not competing for a spot.

“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”

Now 31 years old, Ponce is a two-year major league veteran of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went 1-7 combined in 2020 and 2021, pitching to a 5.86 ERA. He has 48 career strikeouts in 55.1 innings, but he was a totally different pitcher in Korea in 2025.

After two average years in Japan, Ponce went 17-1 in the KBO, pitching to a 1.89 ERA and fanning 252 hitters in 180.1 innings. He won the league's version of the Cy Young Award as well.

Update: Per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic

With Shane Bieber set to begin the year on the injured list, Ponce figures to be joined by Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Dylan Cease in the rotation.

That's a very formidable group for the American League champions, but it doesn't come without questions.

How much depth is there in the organization? Eric Lauer is an excellent fill-in option, but with Berrios in the rotation and Bowden Francis out for the year with injury, how deep does the pitching group actually go?

And additionally, how much will the Jays dial back Yesavage, who tossed nearly 140 innings in his first professional season? Schenider said they can't count on him for 200 innings or 32 starts, so guard rails have to be in place.

It makes a possible reunion with Max Scherzer understandable.

Top prospect Ricky Tiedemann suffered another setback this week, as he's reportedly dealing with some elbow discomfort. Luckily he has no structural damage, but he will still be shut down for a period of time. Here's what we know:

Tiedemann missed most of 2024 with Tommy John surgery and also missed most of 2025 while recovering. If he's healthy, he could be a late-season bullpen option for the Jays.

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