Philadelphia Phillies added right-hander Zach Pop to their bullpen with a one-year deal after a 2025 injury-ridden season and stints with three clubs.
Signing Details
On Monday, the Phillies announced the acquisition of Pop, a 29-year-old reliever. The contract is for one season, and Pop will occupy the 39th spot on the 40-man roster. He has no minor-league options remaining and will vie for a bullpen role in spring training.
Career Overview
Pop’s 2025 campaign was plagued by injuries. He was shut down in March with elbow discomfort and released by the Toronto Blue Jays in early April. After a minor-league deal with Seattle, he was called up, struggled, and was designated for assignment. He elected free agency, signed with the Mets, appeared once, and was DFA’d again in July.
Prior to 2025, Pop posted a 4.45 ERA over 158 appearances split between Miami and Toronto. His best season was 2022, when he began with the Marlins, posting a 3.60 ERA in 18 outings before a four-player trade sent him to Seattle. With the Mariners, he allowed four earned runs over 19 innings, posting a 39.3% chase rate, a 2.5% walk rate, and a 5.6% barrel rate.
Pitching Profile
Pop relies on a three-pitch mix-sinker, slider, and cutter-generating a high ground-ball rate. In 2025 his ground-ball percentage was 54.5%, driven by a 96.4-mph average sinker. He is most effective when he lives at the bottom of the zone and induces soft contact.
Strategic Fit
The addition is a low-risk move for front-office chief Dave Dombrowski. Pop’s profile aligns with the Phillies’ need for a contact-oriented reliever who can stabilize late-inning situations.
Key Takeaways
- Pop signs a one-year deal after an injury-ridden 2025 season and stints with three clubs.
- He has no minor-league options and will compete for a bullpen spot this spring.
- Pop’s ground-ball pitching style and low walk rate make him a low-risk bullpen addition.
With Pop on the roster, the Phillies hope to shore up their bullpen depth and add a reliable contact reliever for the remainder of the season.
