In a significant shake-up just ahead of Opening Day, the Toronto Blue Jays have officially designated three right-handed pitchers for assignment: Zach Pop, Tommy Nance, and Nick Robertson. This decision is part of the team's efforts to finalize their 40-man roster, making room for newly acquired right-hander Jacob Barnes and outfielders Alan Roden and Myles Straw.

The Blue Jays confirmed their plans to select Barnes, Roden, and Straw earlier this week. Alongside these roster adjustments, the team also placed right-handers Erik Swanson and Ryan Burr on the 15-day injured list and center fielder Daulton Varsho on the 10-day IL, signaling a challenging start to the season with multiple key players sidelined.

Zach Pop: Potential Yet Disappointing

Zach Pop, 28, boasts a rollercoaster four-year MLB journey with stints at both the Marlins and Blue Jays. During this time, he has compiled a 4.45 ERA and a 3.94 SIERA over 155.2 innings. After joining Toronto at the 2022 trade deadline, he briefly lit up the field with a staggering 1.89 ERA in 17 appearances. Unfortunately, the past two seasons have seen him struggle, with a troubling 5.81 ERA in 73 appearances. His inability to suppress home runs (1.89 HR/9) coupled with a high walk rate has weighed heavily on his performance, and the elbow discomfort that has recently emerged makes his future with the team even more uncertain.

Tommy Nance: Battling Injuries

Tommy Nance, now 34, made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Cubs at the age of 30. His career has been plagued with inconsistency and injuries. Following a difficult rookie season, Nance found some rhythm in 2022 as a reliable low-leverage reliever with the Marlins. However, injuries halted his momentum in 2023. Although he signed a minor league contract with the Padres last offseason, he failed to break back into the majors. After being traded to Toronto in the late summer of 2023, he managed to perform adequately, recording a 4.09 ERA and 3.96 SIERA in 22 innings of work. Despite his ability to induce groundballs with his curveball and sinker, he struggled to consistently close out games at the highest level.

Nick Robertson: A Journey Continues

At just 26, Nick Robertson has bounced around the league, pitching for four teams in his two MLB seasons. In 2023, he suited up for the Dodgers and Red Sox, while also seeing time with the Cardinals and Blue Jays in 2024. He holds a 5.30 ERA but a more promising 3.52 SIERA across his career's 35.2 innings. Despite showing potential as a multi-inning reliever, Robertson has faced challenges both in the majors and minors since leaving the Dodgers in the Enrique Hernández trade. His recent inconsistency in strikeouts and control may deter teams, but his remaining option year offers a glimmer of hope for teams looking to bolster their bullpen options.

As the Blue Jays embark on the new season, these roster changes highlight the ever-increasing competition and the need to adapt. Fans will surely be eager to see how these moves affect the team's performance and whether any of the designated players will find new opportunities elsewhere in the league. Will any of these pitchers land on their feet with new teams? Only time will tell! Stay tuned for updates as the baseball season heats up!