The Miami Marlins have brought back a familiar face to the pitching mound. Right-handed reliever Zach Pop inked a minor league deal with the club on Friday, per MLB.com transaction logs, and will now report to Triple-A Jacksonville.
This isn’t Pop’s first rodeo in South Florida. The 29-year-old originally broke into the big leagues with the Marlins back in 2021 as a Rule 5 draft pick, carving out a role across parts of two seasons. Over 74 2/3 innings in a Miami uniform, he posted an ERA just south of 4.00 — solid enough to make him a trade chip at the 2022 deadline, when the Marlins sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays.
What Went Wrong in Philadelphia
Pop signed a major league contract with the Phillies this past winter and cracked the Opening Day roster. He tossed seven appearances for Philadelphia, allowing three earned runs over 7 1/3 frames before a right calf strain on April 13 sent him to the injured list.
Once healthy, the Phillies faced a roster crunch. Out of minor league options, Pop couldn’t be stashed in the minors without clearing waivers. Philadelphia designated him for assignment, and after he went unclaimed, he elected free agency last weekend. His Triple-A numbers this season weren’t pretty — eight runs allowed over eight innings — but the Marlins clearly see enough raw ability to give him another look.
Ground-Ball Machine With a Track Record
Pop’s game revolves around a heavy 96.2 mph sinker that induces ground balls at an elite rate. The catch? He doesn’t miss many bats. His career strikeout rate sits well below league average, which limits his margin for error. Over 169 2/3 big-league innings across stops with the Marlins, Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Phillies, he carries a 4.83 ERA.
If Pop can find consistency in Jacksonville, the Marlins could eventually call him up to bolster a bullpen that has seen its share of turnover. The organization knows what he can do when things click — and for a team looking for cheap, reliable arms, a reunion makes sense.
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