Gallagher: Pop signs with Mariners

Former Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Mets reliever Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) has signed a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays

April 15, 2025

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Free-agent pitcher Zach Pop, released in early April by the Toronto Blue Jays, quietly signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners a few days ago. 

Pop (Brampton, Ont.) has reported to Seattle's minor-league complex in Peoria, Ariz., on a rehab (elbow) assignment. 

Pop, a former Ontario Blue Jays and Toronto Met, was suffering from elbow inflammation when he was placed on the injured list to start the season by the Blue Jays and was designated for assignment and later released. 

A family member said 24 teams reached out to Pop following his release. 

Because Pop was released by the Blue Jays after the regular season started, they were still on the hook for his Super 2 arbitration salary of $900,000 for 2025. 

Pop posted a record of 2-4 with a 5.59 ERA in 58 games in 2024 for the Blue Jays.