AL notebook: Ponson’s antics outweigh talent
Sidney Ponson might have been one of the Texas Rangers’ most effective starters, but manager Ron Washington said Saturday his pitching staff will be better off without Ponson’s abrasive personality.
Ponson was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Friday night for being what general manager Jon Daniels characterized as a disruptive presence despite his 4-1 record and 3.88 ERA.
Texas was Ponson’s sixth big-league stop, fourth in the last three years. Ponson has also pitched for Baltimore, Minnesota, San Francisco, St. Louis and the New York Yankees.
“We’ll survive,” Washington said. “Did (Ponson’s release) set the Minnesota Twins back? Did it set the Yankees back? He was pitching well … but I don’t miss him. The guy can pitch but it just didn’t work out.”
Last Wednesday night Ponson reacted angrily when he was removed from a game against Cleveland after four innings.
He allowed six runs, four of them unearned because of three errors by his teammates, further fueling his anger.
Ponson was scheduled to sit for six days before his next start, which also upset him, and Washington said Ponson came to the manager’s office to “let me know about his displeasure.”
Ponson has had a history of off-the-field problems, including two DUI arrests in 2004-05.
Clearing the bases
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes dropped his appeal and began serving his five-game suspension while his teammates played the Rangers. Right-hander James Shields will drop his appeal after Tuesday night’s start and will begin his six-game suspension on Wednesday. Gomes and Shields were two of five Rays suspended for a total of 23 games for their parts in a bench-clearing melee with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. … Cleveland Indians starter Jake Westbrook will have surgery on his right elbow, sidelining him for the rest of the season. … Detroit pitcher Jeremy Bonderman likely will miss the rest of the season after undergoing medical procedures related to a blood clot. … San Diego pitcher Jake Peavy is likely to return to the rotation next week from an elbow injury if he does not have any physical setbacks from a simulated game he threw on Saturday.