Toronto Blue Jays starter Cody Ponce was forced to leave the field on a cart after suffering an apparent right leg injury while attempting to field a ground ball in the third inning Monday against the visiting Colorado Rockies.

Ponce fell to the ground in visible pain as a run scored from third base. He was assisted onto the cart and taken off the field for evaluation.

Monday marked not only Ponce’s debut with the Blue Jays but also his first major league appearance since 2021, following stints pitching in Japan and South Korea. The 31-year-old right-hander entered the day with a career MLB record of 1-7 and a 5.86 ERA in 20 appearances, including five starts, with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2020–21).

Reliever Louis Varland replaced Ponce on the mound following the injury.

-Field Level Media/Reuters