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Ponson Using WBC As Big League Tryout

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The Associated Press

Published: March 3, 2009

BRADENTON - Sidney Ponson looks at the World Baseball Classic as one big job interview.

Ponson, a free-agent who has won just 14 games over the past three years, has not yet signed with a major league team for 2009. The right-hander hopes to attract attention by pitching for Netherlands in the WBC.

He got off to a rocky start Tuesday, giving up three runs and five hits over three innings of the Netherlands' 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

"So far, nobody has called," Ponson said. "I definitely don't want to hang up the spikes just yet. I think I still have a lot of baseball in me."

Ponson threw 69 pitches — one less than the maximum pitch count for WBC starters in the first round of the tourney. Ponson walked four and struck out three.

"It's a matter of getting back in the groove, getting my arm strength back up, and going from there," Ponson said. "If you can throw three innings, 70 pitches, in early March and your arm doesn't hurt, it's always good."

The 33-year-old Ponson made 24 starts last year for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, and went 8-5 with a 5.04 ERA. He will start the Netherlands' WBC opener Saturday against the Dominican Republic.

"Arm strength and conditioning-wise, he's in great shape," Netherlands pitching coach Bert Blyleven said. "His fastball is in the low 90s. He's lost 20 pounds. He's looking for a job and this gives him an opportunity."

Ponson is not the only Netherlands player hoping to find work with a good tournament. First baseman Randall Simon hasn't played in the majors since 2006, when he appeared in 23 games for the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I hope I perform (well) and show I can still play at the major league level," Simon said. "It's great exposure for me. I'm in shape. I know I can still play."

Simon had a run-scoring single in the first inning off Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf. Ohlendorf pitched two innings and gave up one run on four hits.

"It went pretty well," Ohlendorf said. "I felt pretty good and I don't feel like I got hit hard. They only hit two balls hard, and one of those was caught."

The Netherlands will play two more exhibitions in Florida — Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds and Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. The Netherlands then will fly to Puerto Rico for its first round-robin game against Alex Rodriguez and the Dominican Republic.

"Our first opponent won't be easy," Blyleven said. "But, hopefully, everybody will keep dropping out."

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