Long-Time Phillies Pitcher Cut By Mets After Short Stint

Q: Why was Zach Pop cut by the Philadelphia Phillies?

Zach Pop was cut as part of the Phillies' bullpen adjustments to improve their early-season performance.

Q: Who did the Phillies call up after cutting Zach Pop?

The Phillies called up righty Chase Shugart after cutting Zach Pop.

Q: What changes did the Phillies make to their bullpen recently?

The Phillies optioned Seth Johnson to the minors and placed Zach Pop on the injured list, filling his spot with Kyle Backhus.

Q: What is the current status of the Phillies' bullpen?

The Phillies are actively reshuffling their bullpen in an effort to turn around their losing record early in the season.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 29: The Phillies logo at section 108 seat 32 is shown at Citizens Bank Park on August 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rain cancelled the game against the Atlanta Braves and is rescheduled as a doubleheader tomorrow. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

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The Philadelphia Phillies have done some bullpen shuffling as they look to right the ship and turn a losing record around early in the season.

On Tuesday, the Phillies called up righty Chase Shugart and optioned Seth Johnson to the minors. Then on Wednesday, the team placed Zach Pop on the injured list and filled his spot with Kyle Backhus.

However, changes to the big-league middle relief options won’t answer the team’s bigger problems, which include concerns for starter Jesus Luzardo and nearly every hitter on the team. But the Phillies are still faring better than the New York Mets so far, who are undergoing some bullpen changes of their own.

New York Mets Cut Ties With Long-Time Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Luis Garcia

As the Phillies’ National League East division rival attempts to turn its own season around, it has cut ties with long-time Phillies reliever Luis Garcia.

According to Garcia’s official transaction tracker, he was released by the Mets on Tuesday, two days after the team designated him for assignment. It was an unfortunate turn for a pitcher with 14 years of big-league experience, including six seasons, 244 innings, 223 strikeouts and 55 games finished with the Phillies between 2013 and 2018.

“Signed as a middle reliever with the chance to pitch in some high-leverage spots, García had a couple of rough early outings,” Tim Britton reported for The Athletic after Garcia’s DFA. “He allowed two runs on three hits on Opening Day and three runs on three hits in a third of an inning earlier this week against the Arizona Diamondbacks.”

Former Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Poised For MLB Return After New York Mets Release

At age 39, Garcia does appear to be a far cry from his time with the Phillies. But the Mets release likely came because he was planning to reject a minor league assignment and instead wants to pursue another opportunity in the big leagues, particularly with the Mets set to pick up most of the tab for his one-year, $1.75 million deal.

“Garcia should land with another club shortly,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Since the Mets are releasing him, they will remain on the hook for his salary. Another club could sign him and would only have to pay him the prorated portion of the league minimum for any time he spends on their roster.”

After his stint with the Phillies, Garcia played with the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals. As a result, there is a long list of teams out there that could be looking to reunite with him now that he has left the Mets.

Perhaps even the Phillies.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com