Hoover will form part of the Cavalry's starting rotation for the upcoming ABL season, having spent this year pitching in the minors for the World Series winning Washington Nationals.

Before that he spent seven years in the Majors with the Cincinnati Reds, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers where he had a career earned-run average of 4.17.

That's where he wants to get back to. And that's why he's coming Down Under.

The 32-year-old is currently on holiday in Queensland and will arrive in the capital next week.

Before he made it to the Majors, Hoover was in the Atlanta Braves system, where he got to know Cavalry pitcher Steve Kent.

Kent reached out to him and it got the baseball rolling for him to come to Canberra as he looks to get back to the top.

Cavalry director Donn McMichael said Hoover was coming for the whole ABL season before hopefully returning to the USA for spring training.

"He's played a lot of time in the bigs so he knows his way around the park and he finished up last year playing AAA in the Pacific Coast League for the Nationals," McMichael said.

"He's 32 years old and he's busting his arm to get back into the Show.

"In that regard it's really good for us because he's coming here with a thing in mind to get back into it.

"That's where he wants to be so he's coming back to show he can do it.

"This will be a warm-up for spring training for him and it's a great opportunity."

Hoover joins a riches of starting options for Cavalry manager Keith Ward.

There's exciting Braves prospect Phil Pfeifer, who played AAA - the level below the Majors - this year, several of the Japanese imports, Australian international Dushan Ruzic and Steve Kent as potential starters.

Frank Gailey's also returning this season, but he'll be coming out of the bullpen.

"It's a little undecided exactly what the starting rotation will be," McMichael said.

"We've also got a guy called Phil Pfeifer, who we've got from the Braves.

"We've got two maybe three of the Japanese may be starters.

"So we're inundated with starters, which is a good position to be in.

"This will be Keith's decision, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility that either Steve Kent will come out of the [bullpen] or he might even close.

"He's open to doing that. He's stated categorically that what he wants to do is win a championship.

"That's a big call from a guy who wants to consolidate his spot in the Australian team."

The Cavalry have announced their San Diego Padres imports.

Middle-infielder Kelvin Melean returns for his second season in Canberra, while outfielders Taylor Kohlwey and Jawuan Harris, and infielder Jordy Barley will join him.