Pirates release RHP Cody Ponce, who will sign to play in Japan
The Pittsburgh Pirates released pitcher Cody Ponce on Monday, with the intent for the right-hander to play in Japan.
The 27-year-old Ponce, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade for pitcher Jordan Lyles in July 2019, was 1-7 with a 5.86 ERA in 20 games for the Pirates over the past two seasons, including five spot starts.
Ponce was 0-6 with a 7.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 38⅓ innings over 15 games, including two starts, last season while bouncing back and forth between the majors and Triple-A Indianapolis.
Nikkan Sports reported that Ponce has signed with the Haikkodo Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.
By releasing Ponce, the Pirates reduced their 40-man roster to 39 players.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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