Not long after the Cinderella Dutch team was eliminated from the World Bseball Classic, the Royals signed team catalyst and leader Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal. Ponson pitched fantastically during the WBC and earned strong recommendations from several Royals’ scouts.

Against Venezuela Ponson pitched in 5 innings and gave up 2 runs in the 3-1 loss. Ponson also beat the Dominican Republic by going 4 innings and giving up only 2 runs. Last season Ponson had a 4-1 record with a 3.88 ERA in 9 starts with the Texas Rangers, and with the New York Yankees pitched in 16 games with a 4-4 record and a 5.85 ERA.

I expect Ponson to report to camp as soon as possible and compete with Bannister, Hochevar, and Horacio Ramirez for the final two rotation spots behind Meche, Greinke, and Davies.