Blue Jays: Tim Mayza reinstated, Zach Pop Optioned

The Toronto Blue Jays are getting Tim Mayza back in the bullpen as the team announced Tuesday afternoon that the 30-year-old left-hander was activated from the injured list.  In a corresponding move, newly acquired Zach Pop was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Mayza was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 7 with a right shoulder dislocation after injuring it the night prior.  During a game on August 6 against the Minnesota Twins, Sandy Leon attempted a safety squeeze in front of home plate and Mayza’s only play when he went for the ball was to tag the scoring runner Nick Gordon.  Unfortunately, when Mayza went to tag Gordon with his outstretched arm he dislocated his shoulder.  The play was for naught as the Blue Jays pitcher was unable to pick up the ball during the play and Gordon was safe at the plate.

The Blue Jays sent Mayza on a rehab assignment over the weekend with the Buffalo Bisons and he made one appearance, tossing a scoreless inning on Saturday.

Mayza will join Yusei Kikuchi as the left-handed arms in the bullpen.  John Schneider will likely use Mayza in more high leverage spots than Kikuchi as he has proven over the last couple of years that he can be a reliable arm out of the bullpen.  Prior to the injury, Mayza had posted a 2.88 ERA, collecting five wins and 11 holds over 41 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

The Blue Jays will get some left-handed pitching help in the bullpen Tuesday night as the team announced they had reinstated Tim Mayza from the Injured list

Pop becomes the casualty with Mayza’s return as he was optioned to the Bisons this afternoon.  The Brampton, Ontario native had been impressive since being acquired at the Trade Deadline, along with Anthony Bass for prospect Jordan Groshans.  Over seven appearances and 6.2 innings pitched he allowed just two runs (2.70 ERA), had not walked a batter and picked up his first hold for the team on Saturday afternoon against the New York Yankees.

Pop is familiar with being shuffled between the Major Leagues and Triple-A as he was already optioned three different times by the Miami Marlins prior to being acquired by the Blue Jays. Before being optioned by the Blue Jays, Pop had spent his longest stint in the Majors this season as he had been recalled by the Marlins on June 23.