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Can Cody Ponce Emerge as a Viable Fantasy Starter in His MLB Return?
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Cody Ponce has not pitched in an MLB game since 2021. Nevertheless, Toronto signed the 31-year-old right-hander to a three-year, $30 million contract over the winter after Ponce dominated the KBO in 2025. Across 180 2/3 innings (29 starts) for the Hanwha Eagles, Ponce recorded a 17-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 252 strikeouts. With Blue Jays starters Shane Bieber (forearm), Trey Yesavage (shoulder), and Jose Berrios (elbow) all set to open 2026 on the Injured List, Ponce is locked into a rotation role in Toronto to start the year. He's been effective in a limited sample size this spring, recording a 0.66 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings pitched. Ponce should not be expected to replicate the prodigious strikeout rate he produced in Korea last season. However, he could emerge as a solid innings eater with upside and may be worth targeting in the later rounds of fantasy drafts heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
