Breaking News: Toronto Blue Jays Part Ways with Zach Pop!

In a surprising turn of events, the Toronto Blue Jays have officially released reliever Zach Pop following his designation for assignment last week, as confirmed by the official MLB.com transaction log. If he clears the release waivers, the Canadian pitcher will become a free agent, opening the door for potential opportunities elsewhere in the league.

Zach Pop's Performance and Challenges

Zach Pop, known for his right-handed pitching prowess, lost his spot on the 40-man roster during the chaotic Opening Day shuffle. According to reports from Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, Pop faced elbow inflammation during Spring Training, which meant he would have begun the regular season on the injured list. Due to the restrictions on injured players regarding outright waivers, his DFA (Designated for Assignment) inevitably led to his release unless the Blue Jays could find a willing trade partner.

Originally acquired from the Miami Marlins during the 2022 trade deadline, Pop made a notable impression during his debut with the Jays, boasting an impressive 1.89 ERA in 17 appearances. However, his performance has sharply declined in recent seasons. In 2023, he struggled significantly, surrendering 11 runs over just 13 2/3 innings, and last season, he posted a concerning 5.59 ERA over a career-high 58 appearances. Despite his ability to generate ground balls at an impressive rate of 54.6%, Pop's 15.8% strikeout rate has raised eyebrows, and when hitters managed to elevate their swings, they found success—resulting in Pop giving up nine home runs in just 48 1/3 innings, translating to a daunting rate of 1.68 homers per nine frames.

Potential Future Opportunities

Before facing the elbow issue, Pop had made seven appearances in Spring Training, allowing five runs (four earned) in 6 2/3 innings while amassing eight strikeouts. Fortunately for the player, imaging tests did not reveal any significant structural damage, indicating that his absence may not be long-term.

As Pop navigates his next steps in professional baseball, it’s expected that he will attract interest from teams looking to bolster their bullpen on a minor league deal once he recovers. Could this be a fresh start for the talented pitcher? Only time will tell! Stay tuned for more updates on Zach Pop’s journey and whether he will bounce back stronger than ever.