*This content was translated by AI.
Cody Ponce (32, Toronto Blue Jays), who returned to the Major League after simply beating the KBO League in the 2025 season, successfully completed his first appearance in an exhibition game. In addition to his feelings about the game, he also said why he could not participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March as a member of the Mexican national team. As he joined Toronto for the first time, he made the decision because he wanted to blend in with his team members.
Ponce started the 2026 MLB (major league) exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Merchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida on the 26th (Korea time) and showed a perfect pitch with no hits, two strikeouts and no runs in one inning. Ponce's maximum speed of 22 pitches was 96.7 mph (154 kph). However, unfortunately, the number of pitches increased, so he was not able to play the two innings he planned.
In an interview after the game, Ponce explained why he chose to stay in the camp instead of joining the WBC Mexico national team. According to Toronto media The Star, Ponce "remained in camp to have more time to get to know the team members. I want to give each other a chance to understand each other more deeply, both for me and for the players," he said.
Ponce, along with Toronto's main catcher Alejandro Kirk, was expected to be a key player in the WBC Mexican national team. However, as he returned to the big league in four years after signing a three-year, $30 million (about 42.6 billion won) contract, the decision is interpreted as a reflection of his willingness to completely solidify his position as the team's third to fourth starters.
In fact, Ponce showed off his good chemistry with catcher Kirk and pitched one scoreless inning. In particular, the scene where he struck out with Parker Meadows, the opponent's leadoff hitter, after a tenacious game up to 11 pitches was overwhelming. Ponce expressed satisfaction, saying, "This fierce game makes me more focused and enhances the sophistication of the pitch."
There was also infinite trust in Kirk. "It's entirely thanks to Kirk's lead," Ponce said of the ball mix on the day, adding, "I'll continue to throw that ball no matter what he asks for."
Finally, Ponce also honestly revealed the difference between the official ball of the Major League and the official ball of the KBO League. He said, "Korean baseball has strong adhesive power, so I didn't have to use rosin much. I didn't have to use it at all. But the seams are a little low (here). Personally, I prefer balls with low seams. That's because I like that feeling. Anyway, they are all the same baseball, so there is no problem," he laughed.
Now Ponce's eyes are on a regular-season rotation settlement. Toronto manager John Schneider also said, "Ponce will join the starting rotation from the regular season. I'm not a player competing for a major league roster. This is why we recruited Ponce, and the reason we contacted him is also because of his selection. We will set the stage for him to become a starting pitcher," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
