Report: Blue Jays release Zach Pop after clearing waivers

Zach Pop’s time with the Toronto Blue Jays organization has come to an end.

According to the club’s transaction log, the 28-year-old reliever was granted free agency on Wednesday after clearing outright waivers. He was designated for assignment prior to Opening Day last Thursday to create space on the 40-man roster.

Pop, who entered this season with zero minor-league options remaining, missed the final few weeks of camp due to right elbow discomfort and would’ve begun this year on the 15-day IL had he remained with the franchise. The right-hander can now sign with any major league team.

The 6-foot-4 hurler was one of three relievers designated for assignment by Toronto before last week’s season opener against the Baltimore Orioles, joining Tommy Nance (now in triple-A after passing through waivers) and Nick Robertson (traded to the Houston Astros on Monday).

Pop made seven relief appearances with the Blue Jays this past spring, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings. He also went 1-for-2 in save opportunities during camp.

Arriving from the Miami Marlins in the 2022 Anthony Bass trade, Pop spent two-and-a-half seasons with Toronto and logged 81 innings over 90 games, pitching to a 4.89 ERA and 5.09 FIP with a 9.1-per-cent strikeout-to-walk-rate difference (K-BB%). In that time, he also induced a ground ball on over half of his 251 batted balls.

The Brampton, Ont., native split last season between the majors and triple-A Buffalo, struggling to a 5.59 ERA and 5.53 FIP across 58 relief appearances with the Blue Jays, striking out 33 hitters and walking 19.

Rather than non-tendering Pop last off-season, Toronto avoided arbitration with the Canadian righty via a one-year deal worth $900,000 signed in January.