Justin Topa

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Gives up run in season opener

  Rotowire Mar 26, 2026

  Topa allowed one run on two hits with no walks or strikeouts over one inning in Thursday's 2-1 loss against the Orioles. Topa was used in the seventh inning in a tied game in his first appearance. While he could be used in late-inning save situations at some point, his first usage of the season wouldn't seem to indicate he's at the top of the mix for save opportunities.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Rough start to spring

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2026

  Topa gave up four earned runs on four hits, including a home run, with two strikeouts Sunday to increase his spring ERA to 30.38. He's given up nine earned runs in 2.2 innings. Topa does have a 5:3 K:BB in 2.2 innings, so he's at least striking out batters. It's still early in the spring and Topa as a veteran may be focusing on some aspects of his arsenal. However, this isn't inspiring for his chances to earn saves in the unsettled Twins closer competition.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Avoids arbitration with Twins

  Rotowire Nov 21, 2025

  The Twins and Topa avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul says the deal is worth $1.225 million. Topa had been viewed as a non-tender candidate, but he will stick around and could be a high-leverage reliever again on a Twins team unlikely to make any big offseason bullpen additions. The righty held a 3.90 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 60 innings in 2025, posting a 46.7 percent groundball rate along the way.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Option declined, but arb eligible

  Rotowire Nov 6, 2025

  The Twins declined Topa's $2 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Topa remains in the organization, as he has another year of team control via arbitration eligibility. The righty reliever collected a 3.90 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 60 innings out of the Twins' bullpen in 2025, notching four saves along the way. Topa could see high-leverage innings again in 2026 as part of an unsettled Minnesota relief corps.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: On IL with oblique injury

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  The Twins placed Topa on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a left oblique strain. Topa was removed from Sunday's game with left knee discomfort, but he'll head to the injured list Friday with a different ailment. The 34-year-old has been serving as a high-leverage arm since Jhoan Duran was dealt to the Phillies. He's blown two of his six save chances during that stretch and has allowed seven runs (six earned) across his last nine appearances. Cody Laweryson was brought up from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk and Michael Tonkin are candidates for save chances.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Can't rebound in loss, blown save

  Rotowire Sep 4, 2025

  Topa (1-5) was charged with the loss and a blown save in a 4-3 defeat to the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. That's consecutive blown saves for Topa, who has now given up at least one run in four straight outings. Given the right-hander's recent struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see manager Rocco Baldelli turn to a different high-leverage arm, such as Cole Sands or Kody Funderburk, for Minnesota's next save chance. Topa has a 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 58 innings this season.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Secures save Tuesday

  Rotowire Aug 26, 2025

  Topa allowed a run on two hits in one inning of work while earning a save over Toronto on Tuesday. He struck out one batter. Topa was given a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning and worked around an RBI double by Daulton Varsho to convert the save chance. It was Topa's fourth save of the year, and they've all come since Aug. 5. He's converted all four of his save chances and earned one hold since the trade deadline. During that span, Topa owns a 1.53 ERA across 11.2 innings.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Slated to pitch Monday

  Rotowire Mar 16, 2025

  Topa (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Topa exited his most recent Grapefruit League appearance back on March 6 due to right shoulder tightness, but he seems to be feeling fine after throwing 22 pitches Friday in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp. Assuming his appearance Monday goes without a hitch, Topa could avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Won't need MRI on shoulder

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2025

  Topa is dealing with right shoulder tightness, but he has not needed an MRI, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Topa left Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to right shoulder tightness. This doesn't sound like a serious injury, but it could land him on the injured list to begin the season as he works his way back into regular season form.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Leaves with apparent injury

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2025

  Topa was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League appearance against the Orioles with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Topa threw only seven pitches in the outing, and he surrendered a solo home run while showing diminished velocity. The reliever made just three appearances for the Twins in 2024 while dealing with knee and elbow problems. His status should be updated by the club in the near future.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Avoids arbitration with Minnesota

  Rotowire Nov 22, 2024

  Topa agreed to a one-year deal with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration. Topa started the 2024 regular season on the Twins' 15-day injured list due to left patellar tendinitis, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL in late May after an MRI revealed a small tear in his left patellar tendon. Topa managed to return from the injured list Sept. 25, and across three outings he threw 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out two batters and allowing one hit. The 33-year-old right-hander should be good to go for spring training.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Returns from injured list

  Rotowire Sep 25, 2024

  The Twins reinstated Topa (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday. Topa has been on the injured list all season while working his way back from a torn patellar tendon he suffered during spring training and an elbow issue that appeared during a rehab assignment in August. He surrendered three earned runs over two innings after restarting his minor-league assignment Friday, and he's now been given the green light to return to Minnesota's bullpen for the team's final playoff push. Given the amount of time he's missed, the 33-year-old righty will likely be limited to middle relief. Cole Irvin was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Feels ready to return

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2024

  Topa (knee/elbow) said Tuesday that he feels ready to return after making two rehab appearances with Triple-A St. Paul, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Topa allowed three runs in the first of those outings before bouncing back with two strikeouts in a scoreless frame in the second appearance. He's been out all season, first while recovering from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee and more recently due to right elbow inflammation. While Topa appears healthy now, it's unclear how eager the Twins would be to throw him into action during the final week of the season when they're pushing for a playoff spot.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Pulled from rehab stint

  Rotowire Aug 10, 2024

  Topa (knee) was returned from his minor-league rehab assignment Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Topa has shown decreased velocity recently, and it's been revealed that he's been battling arm fatigue. The right-hander has been on assignment since July 23 as part of his recovery from a tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee. He's yet to make his 2024 debut. While it's unclear how far the arm fatigue will set him back, Topa shouldn't be expected back any time soon.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Throwing bullpen sessions

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2024

  Topa (knee) will throw two bullpen sessions this week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Topa has been out all season with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee, but he seems to be inching closer to a return. The reliever will need to face hitters and make a handful of rehab appearances before a clear return date can come into focus.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Dealing with small tear in knee

  Rotowire May 14, 2024

  Topa underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a 25 percent tear in his left patellar tendon, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He'll be immobilized for the next week and isn't expected to resume throwing for another six weeks. After getting a second opinion on the knee injury, Topa will forgo surgery, but he's still need considerable rest and rehab before being ready to make his season debut. He's currently using crutches and will spent the next week recovering from a platelet-rich plasma injection before he kicks off his ramp-up program. Topa appeared to be on the cusp of rejoining the Twins, but felt discomfort in his knee following the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment May 5 with Triple-A St. Paul and now appears unlikely to be ready for activation until sometime in July.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Closing in on rehab assignment

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2024

  Topa (knee) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Everything seemed to go as hoped, which means Topa should be able to begin a rehab assignment any day now. He's been out since late March with left patellar tendinitis and figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before being activated.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Slated to throw live BP

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  Topa (knee) will throw live batting practice Tuesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. If Topa is able to get through BP without any issues, it's possible the Twins send him out on a rehab assignment. He's been on the injured list since the beginning of the season due to left patellar tendinitis, so he would likely require multiple appearances in the minors, but it appears the 33-year-old righty isn't too far away from rejoining the Twins' bullpen.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Set to throw bullpen session

  Rotowire Apr 11, 2024

  Topa (left patellar tendinitis) plans to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list at the end of spring training with left patellar tendinitis. He started playing catch last Saturday and it sounds like he could return at some point in April.

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• Twins' Justin Topa: Begins playing catch

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Topa played catch from 75 feet Saturday and has been pain-free in his left knee, MLB.com reports. Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list at the end of spring training with left patellar tendinitis. He'll start throwing more over the next week and then will get a timetable to begin a rehab stint in the minors.

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