Ponce has signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Yahoo Japan reports.

Ponce was released Tuesday to sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Ponce was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Ponce was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Ponce (0-3) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers after allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while fanning two across two innings.

The Pirates recalled Ponce from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ponce (arm) was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Ponce was removed from Saturday's game against the Brewers due to right arm soreness, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Ponce exited Saturday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury in the top of the second inning, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The Pirates confirmed that Ponce would start Saturday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.