JUSTIN TOPA NEWS

MLB pitcher needs fans' help in pursuit of his first Topps baseball card Postmedia’s Rob Wong chats with Minnesota Twins pitcher Justin Topa who is trying to collect different versions of his Topps baseball card.

JUNE 24, 2024 • TORONTOSUN.COM

Shifts to 60-day IL The Twins transferred Topa (knee) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday with left patellar tendinitis.

Impact The right-hander was diagnosed with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee in mid-May and isn't expected to resume throwing for another month, so a move to the 60-day IL isn't much of a surprise. Topa was a key bullpen piece for Seattle last season with a 2.61 ERA and 24 holds in 75 appearances, but he's been sidelined by knee issues since late in spring training and won't be debuting for Minnesota until midseason, at least.

MAY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes MRI on knee Topa underwent an MRI on his left knee after feeling soreness following his last rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribun...

Impact Topa was able to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, so it would appear to be a minor setback. However, the reliever is still awaiting results of the MRI before determining the next steps. Topa had been poised to be activated soon before this bump in the road.

MAY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Report: Twins' Justin Topa could begin rehab assignment this week Twins reliever Justin Topa threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice on Tuesday and told reporters he expects to start a rehab assignment...

APRIL 23, 2024 • SI.COM

Topa (left knee tendinitis) latest arm to land on IL FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins’ quickly thinning bullpen depth took another hit on Sunday, when president of baseball operations Derek Falvey...

MARCH 24, 2024 • MLB.COM

Bound for IL Topa will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with knee tendinitis Sunday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.comreports.

Impact The right-hander believers he can pitch through the injury, but the Twins will instead play it safe to start the season. Topa, who was acquired from Seattle as part of the return package for Jorge Polanco, recorded three saves and 24 holds with a 2.61 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB across 69 innings last season.

MARCH 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Notches third save Topa walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 6-3 win over the A's.

Impact Andres Munoz handled the eighth inning in this one, leaving the ninth to Topa, and the 32-year-old came through with his first save since July 22. Topa's numbers have taken a bit of a step back in September, but he still has a solid 3.48 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 10.1 innings on the month while adding a win and a hold to Wednesday's save over 10 appearances.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners fall to 1-4 on road trip after Reds rally in 8th CINCINNATI -- It began with a leadoff walk from Justin Topa, continued with a single that sent the tying run to the plate, then culminated w...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • MLB.COM

Secures fifth win Saturday Topa (5-4) got the win against the Mets on Saturday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and did not issue a walk or record a strikeout.

Impact Topa put out the fire in the eighth upon first entering, inducing an inning-ending groundout from Pete Alonso with Jeff McNeil on third in a 7-7 tie. J.P. Crawford's ninth-inning solo shot would snap the deadlock and put Topa in position for the victory, which he subsequently earned during a busy final frame that saw him work around two singles. The right-hander now has three wins in his last five appearances -- including in back-to-back outings -- and he's also garnered six holds dating back to Aug. 15.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Evens record in win Topa (4-4) secured the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on two hits over one inning. He did not issue any walks or record a strikeout.

Impact Topa got a true backdoor victory to even his season mark, as he actually failed to protect the 3-3 tie he was tasked with preserving by allowing doubles to Aledmys Diaz and Esteury Ruiz during his one inning. However, Topa was able to escape the frame without further damage when Ruiz was thrown out at home on a Ryan Noda flyout, and he then became the pitcher of record when the Mariners took the lead for good with a two-run rally in the home half of the frame. The stumble actually snapped what had been a 26-appearance stretch for Topa without allowing an earned run, a stretch that dated back to June 27.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes fourth loss Wednesday Topa (3-4) took the extra-inning loss against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run without retiring a batter.

Impact Topa was in for all of two pitches in the 10th inning, and although he induced a groundout from Elvis Andrus, J.P. Crawford's throwing error on the play allowed inning-opening runner Tim Anderson to score the winning run for Chicago. The run was the first of any kind on Topa's line since July 22, a span of 13.1 innings across 13 appearances.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs third win Tuesday Topa (3-3) got the victory over the White Sox on Tuesday, firing 1.1 perfect innings during which he recorded a strikeout.

Impact Topa breezed through his brief time in the game, impressively firing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes while getting Eloy Jimenez on an inning-ending groundout with two aboard when he first entered in the seventh. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run since July 22, a span of 13.1 innings during which he's recorded two wins overall alongside seven holds.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

More high-leverage shots likely Topa, who recorded his 17th hold in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox with a scoreless one-third of an inning, could see some closing opportunities in the wake of Paul Sewald's trad...

Impact Topa was called on to get the last out of the eighth inning Wednesday with the Mariners holding a three-run lead, but Kramer notes the 32-year-old could occasionally see higher-leverage opportunities than that the rest of the way. Topa has given up just four earned runs across the 16.2 innings covering his last 20 appearances while producing a 16:3 K:BB, and his 59.8 percent groundball rate speaks to his ability to keep the ball down. Topa has primarily been called on for seventh- and eighth-inning work thus far, but with manager Scott Servais noting he'll "mix and match" to an extent with the closer role moving forward, the right-hander could get some save chances as well.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects second save Topa gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning of Saturday's 9-8 win over the Blue Jays, recording his second save of the season.

Impact Paul Sewald had pitched Thursday and Friday, while Andres Munoz and Matt Brash had both worked earlier in Saturday's contest, leaving Topa to get a rare save chance. The right-hander got the job done, although he got tagged for his first earned run in nearly a month while doing so. Topa has been a solid addition to the Seattle bullpen this season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 38 innings while collecting 14 holds and a win in 42 appearances in addition to his two saves.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes third loss Saturday Topa (1-3) took the extra-inning loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit over one-third of an inning. He did not issue a walk or record a st...

Impact Topa's blink-and-you-missed-it 10th-inning stint on the mound spanned all of seven pitches, with Ryan McKenna hitting a game-winning two-run home run after Adley Rutschman had flied out to start the frame. The 32-year-old right-hander had produced scoreless efforts in seven of his previous eight trips to the mound, and despite Saturday's stumble, his solid 3.34 ERA and 13 holds across a career-high 32 appearances are all encouraging figures from a fantasy perspective.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win Topa (1-2) earned the win over the Yankees on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless inning while walking and striking out a batter.

Impact Topa entered the game in the 10th inning after the game remained scoreless after nine. An error and a walk loaded the bases for the Yankees with one out, but Topa was able to work his way around the trouble and concluded the frame by striking out Franchy Cordero. The 32-year-old garnered his first win of the year after the Mariners walked it off in the bottom of the inning. Topa now owns a 3.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB to go along with 10 holds and a save in 24 appearances thus far this year.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reliever Justin Topa almost quit the game. Now he's firing zeros nightly Topa's major-league journey involved two torn UCLs and a stint in indy ball. Now, he's a key cog for MLB's best bullpen.

MAY 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Locks down first save Topa allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against Houston on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Impact Topa worked around a leadoff single to finish off a quick inning and secure the 3-1 victory. He's been a terrific addition to Seattle's bullpen since his promotion in early April, posting a 1.29 ERA and a 14:5 K:BB through 14 frames. Tops has seven holds and has now converted one of two save chances. Paul Sewald allowed two runs Saturday and did not appear in Sunday's win.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dispatched to minors The Mariners optioned Topa to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Impact Acquired from the Brewers in January, Topa had a so-so performance in his first camp with Seattle. The hard-throwing righty turned in a 2.25 ERA and struck out eight batters over eight frames in Cactus League play, but he issued three walks and allowed a .300 average to opposing batters. So long as he steers clear of the health issues that have derailed him the past two seasons, Topa should stand a decent chance of surfacing in Seattle's bullpen at some point in 2023.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in six spring appearances Topa owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.

Impact The big right-hander is an intriguing reclamation project of sorts for the Mariners after previously having undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries and finishing last season with the Brewers on the injured list with an ankle contusion. Topa has appeared healthy this spring while working an inning apiece in each of his six appearances out of the bullpen. He projects for a low-leverage role to open the season, which will limit his fantasy appeal overall.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners acquire right-hander Justin Topa from Brewers The Seattle Mariners on Saturday acquired Justin Topa from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Joseph Hernandez in a trade of right-handed...

JANUARY 9, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Mariners acquire right-hander Justin Topa from Brewers

The Seattle Mariners have acquired Justin Topa from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Joseph Hernandez in a trade of right-handed pitchers

JANUARY 8, 2023 • Associated Press

Headed to Seattle Topa was traded from the Brewers to the Mariners on Saturday in exchange for Joseph Hernandez.

Impact The 31-year-old righty already has two Tommy John surgeries on his resume and has logged 18.1 innings over the past three MLB seasons. The high point of his value was after the 2020 season, when he was dominant across six appearances. He should work in low-leverage situations for the Mariners, as they try to help him recapture his form from a couple years ago.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to injured list Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle contusion Monday.

Impact Topa was called up by the Brewers on Wednesday, and he gave up two runs on two hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in two innings over two appearances following his promotion. While the right-hander would be able to return if the Brewers make the postseason and go on a run, his season is likely over. Right-hander Jake Cousins was called up to take his place in the bullpen late in the regular season.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from minors The Brewers recalled Topa from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Impact Just over a week after being optioned to Triple-A, Topa will rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after starter Adrian Houser (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Topa, who has given up two earned runs over 5.1 innings at the big-league level in 2022, will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever over the final week of the season.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE