Seattle promotes RHP Zach Pop, demotes RHP Logan Evans ahead of presumed Logan Gilbert return

A bullpen depth move just ahead of the homestand.

The Seattle Mariners have selected the contract of RHP Zach Pop and promoted him from Triple-A Tacoma to join their bullpen Friday night prior to their series against the Cleveland Guardians. In response, they have optioned RHP Logan Evans back down to the Rainiers following his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks this week.

Zach Pop fills the opened 40-man roster spot cleared by OF Leody Taveras, who cleared waivers and was optioned to Tacoma as well this afternoon. Pop’s big league background came between the Miami Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays over the past four seasons, but he was drafted initially by the Los Angeles Dodgers and eventually traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of the Manny Machado deal. While Pop was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2020 Rule-5 Draft, he was immediately dealt to the Marlins for a minor leaguer, where he would debut in 2021. A year later, he was dealt at the deadline north of the border for former M’s bullpen arm Anthony Bass and infielder Jordan Groshans. That tenure in Toronto came to an end ultimately this past winter, as injury and ineffectiveness made him available for a minor league deal with Seattle.

Pop’s been fairly effective in Tacoma, as one of the most extreme groundball pitchers in baseball anywhere, boring in sinkers and sliders almost exclusively that allow him to nibble at the bottom of the zone and weather an elevated walk rate. More pertinent is that Pop is likely to be the first man jettisoned over the next few days, as the reportedly excellent final bullpen from Logan Gilbert augurs his return is imminent. For the other Logan, the demotion will allow him to continue starting and be available on retainer should further tragedies befall their rotation.