Should the Toronto Blue Jays advance deep into October for a second straight year, there’s a chance injured starter Cody Ponce (torn ACL) could return during the 2026 post-season, according to manager John Schneider.

While speaking to reporters in Kansas City over the weekend, including Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, Schneider revealed that Ponce would strictly be an option for the later rounds of the playoffs — likely the ALCS or World Series. That means he wouldn’t be available to appear in a potential wild-card series if the Blue Jays claim the final AL post-season spot.

It’d be a remarkable comeback story for the 32-year-old hurler — former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman made a similar return during the franchise’s memorable 2015 campaign — who tore the ACL in his right knee less than three innings into his debut on Mar. 30. One week later, he underwent surgery to repair the ruptured ligament, which previously was expected to sideline him until next spring.

Now, with Ponce progressing faster than anticipated at the club’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., they’re keeping the door open for a potential late-October return. But since he’s missed the last six months, they’d only bring him back as a multi-inning reliever rather than a traditional starter.

Ponce’s return to Toronto’s rotation must wait until 2027, assuming there’s even a season to be played next year, pending the finalization of a new CBA between owners and the MLBPA.

The 6-foot-6, 255-pound righty — in the first season of a three-year, $30 million contract inked last winter — is part of the organization’s incredibly long list of injured players from this season, and his absence has arguably had the biggest impact on this team’s staff. It’s been a season-long battle to fill his vacated rotation spot, with every attempt providing short-term relief, given their current four-man staff.

Schneider also provided a minor update on left-hander Patrick Corbin — one of the countless arms who’ve cycled through Ponce’s rotation spot — describing his chances to return this season as a “long shot.” The veteran hurler remains sidelined from baseball activities due to a teres major strain in his left shoulder.

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