"I'm really grateful the Texas Rangers gave me this chance," said Ponson, the 10-year veteran scheduled to make his second start for Texas in Thursday's series finale with Kansas City.

Less than a year ago, Ponson found himself out of baseball, despite 82 career wins and 245 big league starts by age 30. His promising career with the Orioles had been derailed by weight issues, spotty performances and embarrassing episodes of binge drinking that had run him afoul of the law, both in the United States and his native island home of Aruba.

The former 17-game winner had become a journeyman, as he was unable to stick with the Orioles, Giants, Cardinals and Yankees before being released last May 12 by the Twins. By then, an early retirement seemed not only forced upon him, but attractive.

"I needed the break," Ponson said. "Mentally, I was exhausted. I told my agent not to worry about it, that I was just going to chill and relax. And I needed to get my off-the-field problems taken care of. I didn't grab a baseball for seven months."

The hiatus did Ponson good. Having had loads of free time to ponder things, he not only stayed out of trouble but found his love for baseball renewing itself. He finally had his agent line up a job pitching for Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. With help there from veteran catcher Raul Casanova, Ponson smoothed out his mechanics and built his fastball back up to 94 mph before the spring scouts audition that led to his Minor League contract with the Rangers.

Ponson made five appearances (four starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma and was 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA when he got the call back to the big leagues last Saturday, interestingly to face the Twins, the last team to give up on him. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, but only one of the runs was earned. More importantly, he was back and feeling as if he belonged.

"Now I'm really energized," Ponson said. "I'm ready to be back, and I've got my joy back in baseball. It's feeling fun again. And I'm really grateful to the Rangers for giving me this chance."

How long Ponson remains hinges as much on his performance and conduct as on the health of the team's projected starting staff. But Ponson said his only focus is on giving his new club at least seven solid innings each start and helping younger pitchers adapt to the big leagues. Doing so would open eyes on other teams, and perhaps other opportunities later.

"It's the same game, just a different league," he said. "You have to throw strikes at Triple-A to get up here, and you have to throw strikes to stay up here."

Pitching matchup
TEX: RHP Sidney Ponson (0-0, 1.69 ERA)
Ponson has made 19 career starts against the Royals, going 9-7 with a 4.60 ERA. Kansas City batters have hit .301 against Ponson with 14 homers in 119 1/3 innings. Ponson's last win against the Royals was nearly three years ago -- May 17, 2005. His last three starts against Kansas City resulted in two losses and a no-decision.

KC: RHP Zack Greinke (3-0, 1.25 ERA)
The Royals' 24-year-old phenom has overcome social anxiety issues to begin realizing his potential. He is coming off consecutive no-decisions, but the Royals have won four of his five starts. Greinke has held opposing hitters to a .226 average in April. He has made seven appearances (five starts) against the Rangers, posting a 2-2 record and 4.50 ERA.

Tidbits
Left-hander Kason Gabbard, who thought he was heading to Class A Bakersfield for a Minor League rehab start, now will make that start Saturday for Double-A Frisco. ... Though Chris Shelton made his second straight start against a right-hander on Wednesday, left-handed-hitting Ben Broussard still will see some time at first base. "I wanted Broussard here," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "I haven't given up on Broussard." Broussard entered Wednesday hitting .173, but Shelton started 0-for-7 with Texas. ... Washington plans to use Michael Young as his designated hitter for Thursday afternoon's series finale. Milton Bradley likely will make a second straight start in right field. ... Former Rangers backup catcher Adam Melhuse cleared waivers and officially is a free agent.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270 (Español)

Up next
• Friday: Rangers (Vicente Padilla, 3-2, 3.79) at Athletics (Joe Blanton, 2-4, 4.07), 9:05 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Rangers (A.J. Murray, 1-2, 4.50 in 2007) at Athletics (Chad Gaudin, 3-1, 3.00), 8:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Rangers (Scott Feldman, 0-0, 6.00) at Athletics (Greg Smith, 2-1, 2.73), 3:05 p.m. CT

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.