Ponson, 28, is scheduled to start Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, but has yet to obtain a Canadian work visa after being arrested Jan. 21 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The case is pending.
"We sent all the documentation and we should be able to hear by (Thursday)," pointed out Orioles executive vice-president Jim Beattie, who re-signed Ponson to a three-year, $22.5-million US contract on Jan. 14.
Sidney Ponson is scrambling to get a Canadian visa. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
"What they are requesting is a pretty extensive list of things to put together. There might be a delay getting him there until Sunday morning."
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Ponson for travelling 85 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, and then slowing to 25 mph in a minimum 40-mph zone upon spotting a state trooper.
He allegedly failed sobriety tests, too.
Ponson has had several brushes with the law the past few months, most recently on March 24, when he injured his pitching hand during an altercation at a Fort Lauderale restaurant.
Barry Praver, his agent, maintained that Ponson was dining with his girlfriend when a drunk patron interrupted them and said, "So you're the Aruban tough guy."
"Sidney tried his best to defuse the situation by ignoring the intoxicated person," Praver recalled. "But when the guy became physical, there was a point where he had to get the guy off him."
Police officers were summoned, but Ponson declined to press charges.
"People are going to find out who I am, try to push my buttons," Ponson said. "I held back as much as I could."
Ponson earlier spent 11 days in an Aruban jail as authorities investigated a Christmas Day fracas at a local beach.
Reports alleged that Ponson harrassed people with a personal watercraft and even punched a man in the face.
The man was later identified as Judge W. Noordhuizen, who had just moved to the island three months prior.
Ponson issued an apology and negotiated an out-of-court settlement including a charitable contribution and community service.
Ponson has been raked for 17 runs and 25 hits in just 14 2/3 innings pitched this season.
He is 1-2 with a 10.42 earned-run average in three starts.
Ponson is 71-81 with a 4.13 ERA, 27 complete games, four shutouts and one save in 213 appearances (202 starts) over eight MLB seasons, all with Baltimore.
with files from CP Online
