Pop (elbow) has struck out three batters and has given up two unearned runs on one hit and one walk over two innings in his two appearances since being assigned to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last Tuesday.
While attending spring training with the Blue Jays, Pop developed elbow inflammation late in camp and was cast off the 40-man roster shortly before Opening Day. The Blue Jays then released him April 2, with Pop catching on with Seattle on a minor-league deal two weeks later. The right-hander spent the past month recovering from the elbow issue and building up at the Mariners' extended spring training facility before being cleared to make his organizational debut last week. Once he gets more time in Arizona to shake off some of the rust, Pop will likely report to the Mariners' top minor-league affiliate in Tacoma.
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Mariners' Zach Pop: Agrees to MiLB deal with Seattle
Rotowire
The Mariners signed Pop (elbow) to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
Pop was cut loose by the Blue Jays earlier this month after he developed right elbow inflammation during spring training. It's not clear what his current health situation is, but once he's ready to pitch, Pop will provide the Mariners with some veteran relief depth in the minors.
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Zach Pop: Cut by Jays
Rotowire
The Blue Jays released Pop (elbow) on Wednesday.
Pop was pushed off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Thursday, and he'll end up in the open market after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old finished last season with a 5.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 48.1 innings in the majors, though another team may be willing to offer him a minor-league contract.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Cast off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Blue Jays designated Pop (elbow) for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Pop experienced elbow inflammation coming out of his final Grapefruit League appearance March 17 and was expected to head to the 15-day injured list, but the Blue Jays will instead move him off their 40-man roster. The transaction clears a 40-man spot for outfielder Alan Roden, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Pop could end up landing on Buffalo's IL if he clears waivers and remains in the Toronto organization.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Headed to IL with sore elbow
Rotowire
Pop will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pop felt discomfort in his pitching elbow following his last Grapefruit League appearance Monday. While an MRI didn't show any structural damage, he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days and will require an IL stint.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
The Blue Jays and Pop avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $900,000 contract Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca report.
Pop will avoid a hearing in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's struggled during his time in Toronto, collecting a 4.89 ERA and 58:27 K:BB over 81 innings across the past two-plus seasons.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Optioned to minors
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Pop to their spring training complex on Tuesday.
He's being sent to the team's spring training facility because Triple-A Buffalo's season is over. Pop will be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Easton Lucas.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Recalled from Buffalo
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Pop from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
The trade of Yimi Garcia to the Mariners on Friday cleared a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen, so Pop will come up from the minors to fill the opening. The 27-year-old righty owns a 5.90 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 29 innings in the majors this season, and he'll likely be limited to middle relief while in Toronto. Jonatan Clase was optioned to Buffalo in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Pop from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
With Yariel Rodriguez (back) headed for the injured list, Pop will return to the majors to provide additional depth to Toronto's bullpen. Pop accumulated a 6.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 13.2 innings with the Blue Jays last season, though he's fared much better this year in Triple-A, allowing two earned runs across 9.2 frames. He'll presumably serve in middle relief while in the big leagues.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Bound for Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Pop to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Toronto demoted Pop and Yariel Rodriguez one day before its season opener at Tampa Bay, likely signaling that Wes Parsons and Nate Pearson have secured the final spots in the club's Opening Day bullpen. Pop, who owns a 3.94 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 107.1 innings over parts of three seasons in the majors, will likely be up with Toronto at some point in 2024, but he'll likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen whenever he's summoned from Triple-A.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Might open season in majors
Rotowire
Pop could break camp in the big-league bullpen if Jordan Romano (elbow) or Erik Swanson (forearm) need to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Pop still has minor-league options remaining, so it was expected he would begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo, but there may be a need for him right away to begin the campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander made 15 appearances for Toronto in 2023, and while he struck out 14 batters in 13.2 innings, six walks and four homers allowed contributed to a 6.59 ERA. Pop would work in low-leverage situations should he begin the campaign in the majors.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Restarts rehab assignment
Rotowire
Pop (hamstring) restarted a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pop had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment earlier this month following a setback with his right hamstring, but he returned to game action over the weekend and is slated for another appearance with Buffalo on Wednesday. The reliever might be ready for activation after that if he can avoid another setback.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Suffers setback on rehab
Rotowire
Pop returned to Toronto on Monday for further evaluation after feeling renewed discomfort in his right hamstring during his most recent rehab appearance Friday with Single-A Dunedin, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Coming out of the weekend, Pop's return from the 15-day injured list appeared imminent, but he's now hit a bump in the road. Even if Pop's re-evaluation reveals nothing overly concerning, he's still likely to put his rehab program on pause for at least a few days.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: On rehab assignment
Rotowire
Pop (hamstring) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Friday with Low-A Dunedin, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pop worked around a walk and a hit-by-pitch to deliver a scoreless inning Tuesday in his rehab debut with Dunedin. He should be a consideration for the Blue Jays' bullpen sometime next week, assuming all continues to go well on his rehab stint. The right-hander has been out since May 5 due to a right hamstring strain.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Pop (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pop has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a strained right hamstring but would appear close to heading out on a rehab assignment. The reliever posted a 6.59 ERA over 15 appearances before getting hurt.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Continuing throwing program
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Pop (hamstring) is continuing to move through his throwing program, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
According to MLB.com, Pop was cleared to resume playing catch last Tuesday, just five days after suffering the right hamstring strain that forced him to the 15-day injured list. While it's unclear whether Pop has reached the point in his throwing program where he's facing hitters, the 26-year-old right-hander doesn't look as though he's in danger of being sidelined much longer than the minimum 15 days. He may require a brief rehab assignment prior to being activated, however.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Exited with hamstring issue
Rotowire
Pop exited Thursday's game against the Red Sox with right hamstring discomfort, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays said they will give Pop the night to rest and reevaluate him tomorrow. However, the injury appears to be a longer-term issue that will ultimately force him to the injured list. Pop has struggled early on this season, posting a 6.59 ERA across 13.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Suffers apparent leg injury
Rotowire
Pop was helped off the field by a trainer after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury Thursday against the Red Sox, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Pop struck out Jarren Duran in the eighth inning, but he started to limp after the final pitch of the at-bat and had to be removed from the game. It's unclear if a stint on the injured list will be required.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Expected to win bullpen spot
Rotowire
Pop appears set to open the season in the big-league bullpen with Mitch White battling elbow soreness, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
White was expected to begin the season as a long reliever if he lost out on the fifth starter role to Yusei Kikuchi, but instead he now appears headed for the injured list. Pop pitched well this spring, posting a 9:1 K:BB through six innings, and he'll likely be used in middle relief in the majors.
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Blue Jays' Zach Pop: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Pop was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Pop served as the 29th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles, and he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen a few days later after Mitch White was sent down. Over 26 relief appearances between the Marlins and Blue Jays this year, Pop has posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 27.2 innings.
