Ponson beat out Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright for the spot. Reyes was optioned to Memphis and Wainwright will start the season in the bullpen.
From Tony LaRussa:
He's got a history of durability and he's done as much in this camp as he could. It's all ahead of him, though.
Yeah, well, good luck. Ponson not getting injured is part of what's so annoying about him. You KNOW he's gonna take the ball. What the hell happens after that is anyone's guess.