The New York Yankees are expected to sign Ponson on Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment last week by the Cardinals, then released Thursday. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the deal "made sense, compared to everything else that was available to us."
(Updated 7/14/2006)

Analysis: Ponson, who went 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 14 games _ 13 starts _ for St. Louis, is 80-95 with a 4.83 ERA in 247 career appearances. He won a career-high 17 games with the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants in 2003.