Seattle Mariners Welcome Pitching Sensation Zach Pop to the Team!

The Mariners have made a noteworthy addition to their roster by selecting right-handed reliever Zach Pop. To make space, rookie Logan Evans has been sent back to Triple-A Tacoma. This decision comes as the Mariners had two spots open on their 40-man roster.

Zach Pop is set to make his debut whenever he gets the chance to pitch. He joined Seattle in mid-April after being released by the Blue Jays. At the time, he was dealing with elbow inflammation, but he managed to return to the mound by mid-May. After a couple of rehab appearances, he was promoted to Tacoma, where he made 11 appearances in total, pitching 9 2/3 innings. Although he allowed seven runs, only three of those were earned. Over this time, he struck out nine batters while walking five.

At 28 years old, Pop has experienced parts of four seasons in the MLB. Last year with the Blue Jays, he posted a 5.59 ERA over 48 1/3 innings, with a strikeout rate of just 15.8%. While his pitches don’t produce a lot of strikeouts, he consistently throws his sinker around 96 MPH and has a career ground-ball rate of 55%. This makes him a valuable ground-ball specialist for the Mariners’ middle relief.

The timing of Pop’s addition is strategic. With an extra reliever available for the weekend series against the Guardians, the Mariners are in a good position. Notably, pitchers Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Emerson Hancock are set to start those games.

Adding to the excitement, Logan Gilbert is expected to return from the injured list during next week’s series against the Red Sox. Gilbert has been sidelined since late April with a flexor strain. He has completed three rehab starts for Tacoma, during which he has allowed only three runs in 9 2/3 innings.

This move reflects a broader trend in baseball where teams are increasingly reliant on a strong bullpen. According to recent data, teams with effective relievers have better odds of winning close games. As the season progresses, the Mariners will aim to leverage their pitching strength to stay competitive in the league.

Stay tuned for how Pop’s performance unfolds, as well as Gilbert’s return, which could significantly impact Seattle’s chances this season.



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