This season will be Ponson’s first in the Atlantic League and first in independent baseball. The righty spent last season in the Kansas City Royals organization. After six games at Triple-A Omaha, he was called up to the big leagues where he fired 58 and two-thirds innings in 14 games. The 33-year-old spent parts of the 2006 and 2008 seasons in the Yankees organization. Ponson has also spent time with five other clubs (Orioles, Giants, Cardinals, Twins, Rangers).

The Aruba native has appeared in 298 big league games (278 starts). His best season came in 2003 with the Orioles and Giants, when he went a combined 17-12 with a 3.75 ERA in 31 games. In addition, he has played in eight seasons of minor league baseball, compiling a record of 24-22 with a 3.66 ERA in 71 games, 65 of which he started. Ponson was also a starter for the Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and he earned the victory in the Dutch’s first-round upset of the Dominican Republic. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Orioles in 1993.