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Philadelphia Phillies Place Reliever on Injured List
TL;DR
The Philadelphia Phillies have placed reliever Zach Pop on the injured list, further straining their pitching staff early in the 2026 season. This move raises concerns about the team's bullpen depth.
Philadelphia Phillies Place Reliever on Injured List
The Philadelphia Phillies’ pitching staff was supposed to be one of the team’s strengths heading into the 2026 season, but it’s certainly shown some cracks a few weeks into the year.
The situation became worse on Wednesday, as the Phillies added one of their more reliable bullpen arms to the injured list.
Phillies Place Zach Pop on Injured List
Zach Pop has been an underrated bright spot for the Phillies so far during the 2026 season. Unfortunately, he landed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday (retroactive to April 13) with a right calf strain.
Pop has appeared in seven games for the Phillies so far this season, and owns a 3.68 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 7.1 innings pitched. The only runs that he has given up came in Philadelphia’s second and third games of the season, and when he opened for the team on Sunday amid Andrew Painter’s migraine situation.
By and large, Pop has been a fine addition for the Phillies as a depth piece, and now they’ll need someone to take over that role moving forward.
Hopefully, this isn’t an injury that keeps the right-hander sidelined for too long. Manager Rob Thomson said the injury is a mild strain and occurred during a workout.
“Zach was doing some agility work after the game last night and just felt something in his right calf,” said the Phillies skipper on Wednesday before Philadelphia’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
Pop was really starting to make some progress and find a consistent role with the Phillies, so let’s hope this injury doesn’t affect that when he eventually returns.
Phillies Recall LHP Kyle Backhus
To fill Pop’s spot in the bullpen for the time being, the Philiies recalled LHP Kyle Backhus from Triple-A on Wednesday and added him to the 26-man roster.
Backhus has made five appearances so far at the big-league level this season, giving up three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work (8.10 ERA).
He was optioned to Triple-A just over a week ago and appeared in two games for the Iron Pigs. In those outings, he allowed no runs, issued two hits, and struck out five batters.
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Q&A
What injury did Zach Pop sustain that led to his placement on the injured list?
The specific injury details for Zach Pop have not been disclosed, but he has been added to the injured list due to health concerns.
How will Zach Pop's injury impact the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen performance?
Zach Pop's absence is expected to weaken the bullpen, which was initially considered a strength for the Phillies heading into the season.
What are the Philadelphia Phillies' options for replacing Zach Pop in the bullpen?
The Phillies may look to call up minor league pitchers or adjust their current roster to fill the gap left by Zach Pop's injury.
