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Blue Jays Release Zach Pop

By Anthony Franco | April 2, 2025 at 10:41pm CDT

The Blue Jays released reliever Zach Pop after designating him for assignment last week, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Assuming he clears release waivers, he’ll become a free agent.

Pop lost his 40-man roster spot as part of the Opening Day shuffle. Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling noted in mid-March that Pop had come down with elbow inflammation during Spring Training and would have begun the regular season on the injured list. Injured players cannot be placed on outright waivers, so the DFA meant he’d be released unless the Jays found a trade partner.

The Canadian-born righty joined the Jays at the 2022 deadline in a trade with Miami. He turned in a 1.89 ERA in 17 appearances down the stretch. While he made a strong first impression, Pop has struggled over the last two years. He gave up 11 runs in 13 2/3 innings in 2023 and was tagged for a 5.59 ERA over a career-high 58 appearances last season. Pop got ground-balls at a strong 54.6% clip but only managed a 15.8% strikeout rate. When opponents were able to elevate the ball, they found success. He surrendered nine homers in 48 1/3 frames — a rate of 1.68 longballs per nine innings.

Pop had made seven Spring Training appearances before the elbow issue. He allowed five runs (four earned) across 6 2/3 innings despite eight strikeouts. He wasn’t expected to face a long-term absence, as imaging didn’t reveal any structural issues. He should find interest on a minor league deal once he’s healthy.

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Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Zach Pop

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20 Comments

  1. mlb fan

    7 months ago

    With a name like “Zach pop”, you can tell that he likely had parents that were children of the psychedelic 1960’s and 70’s.

    4
    Reply
    • ElGaupo77

      7 months ago

      He’s Sub Pop now

      2
      Reply
    • letitbelowenstein

      7 months ago

      His dad is Pop Pop.

      5
      Reply
  2. Lloyd Emerson

    7 months ago

    This has Yankees written all over it. Yhey already have Jazz. They need Pop.

    6
    Reply
    • Crybbe666

      7 months ago

      Don’t forget they have a DJ as well!

      6
      Reply
    • miltpappas

      7 months ago

      Jazz is a racist. They suspend him yet? Obviously not. smh

      1
      Reply
      • mlb fan

        7 months ago

        @miltpappas..Can you please go and practice your latest lefty racist propaganda somewhere else?

        Reply
  3. Oddball Hererra

    7 months ago

    If he goes to an East or West Coast team they’ll call him Zach Soda

    12
    Reply
    • braveshomer

      7 months ago

      if comes to the south we’ll call Zach Coke…everything down is coke lol

      1
      Reply
  4. geotheo

    7 months ago

    I predict he re signs with the Blue Jays. He was only released for procedural reasons because he was injured. This way he can continue his rehab with the Jays

    2
    Reply
    • RussianFemboySportsFan

      7 months ago

      @Geo

      he was terrible with us, I don’t see that happening.

      1
      Reply
  5. Old York

    7 months ago

    The modern bullpen doesn’t have room for low-K sinkerballers who “let hitters hit it.” Pop’s skill set is being phased out across the league, and his DFA is just another step in MLB’s evolution toward pure power pitching.

    1
    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      7 months ago

      Oh ya Pop and his 83 percentile Fastball velocity are being phased out lol

      6
      Reply
    • Ducey

      7 months ago

      Pop is a sinkerballer for sure. But he throws hard. The problem is his pitches have a ton of movement and he doesn’t have much control. He also doesn’t have any decent secondary pitches to change speeds

      Many teams will take a chance on him, if he is healthy

      2
      Reply
  6. CTS4

    7 months ago

    DFA the Lousy GM shapiro and his lackie !!

    4
    Reply
  7. Sk8

    7 months ago

    I’ve been waiting nearly two seasons to hear this. Good.

    1
    Reply
  8. Bart Harley Jarvis

    7 months ago

    But the Blue Jays are keeping Zach Snap and Zach Crackle, correct?

    Reply
  9. Yankeesforever

    7 months ago

    Let me guess, he has a brother called Soda and a sister who uses her hyphenated maiden name, married to a guy with a last name of Tarts

    1
    Reply
  10. Holyshirts

    7 months ago

    Shouldn’t it be Zach Soda since he’s from Canada?

    Reply
  11. Stieb Cooperstown

    6 months ago

    the fact that most of these posts talk about his last name tells you all you need to know about Pop as a pitcher

    Reply

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