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The Philadelphia Phillies have continued searching for dependable bullpen help as they battle for another postseason run.
Although the team has re-established itself as a serious National League contender, the front office has consistently rotated through relief pitchers in hopes of improving the overall pitching depth.
Now, one of those bullpen experiments appears to be over.
Veteran reliever, who has spent six seasons in Major League Baseball, has elected to enter free agency following a short stint with the Phillies this year, potentially closing the book on a tenure that included only seven appearances in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Veteran Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team After Just 7 Games
Instead of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he chose to part ways with the organization and return to the open market.
“Zach Pop cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, and the Phillies announced that Pop elected free agency over accepting the outright assignment,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Charlie Wright reported. “Because Pop has been outrighted in the past, he has the ability to reject any future outrights in favor of becoming a free agent.”
Wright also detailed the reliever’s journey before arriving in Philadelphia.
“The 29-year-old Pop has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons with five different clubs,” Wright added. “He joined the Phillies in December. Pop struggled mightily in five outings last year, split between the (Seattle) Mariners and (New York) Mets. He was crushed for 11 earned runs over 6 2/3 frames. The righty performed much better this spring, posting a 3.86 ERA across nine appearances during exhibition play.”
Philadelphia Phillies’ Former Pitcher Made Unique History In Short Stint
Even though Pop’s time with the Phillies was brief, he still managed to secure a unique place in franchise history.
The right-hander became the first player in Phillies history to challenge a pitch using MLB’s newly introduced automated ball-strike review system.
“When right-hander Zach Pop tapped the top of his red Phillies hat in the eighth inning on Thursday’s Opening Day, he added himself into the franchise history books,” Phillies Nation’s Ty Daubert pointed out. “Pop became the first Phillies player to challenge a pitch under the newly implemented automated ball-strike system.”
Still, despite the history-making moment, Pop’s tenure in Philadelphia may quickly fade from memory for many fans. The Phillies originally brought him in hoping he could strengthen the bullpen after a promising spring performance, but the partnership never evolved into a lasting fit.
Across six MLB seasons with the Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, Mariners, Mets, and Phillies, Pop owns a career 4.83 ERA over 170 appearances, mostly serving in a middle-relief role.
Now back in free agency, the veteran reliever will search for another opportunity — though a future reunion with Philadelphia cannot be entirely ruled out.