The Mariners optioned Topa to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
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.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Justin Topa: Solid in six spring appearances
Rotowire
Topa owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.
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.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Justin Topa: Headed to Seattle
Rotowire
Topa was traded from the Brewers to the Mariners on Saturday in exchange for Joseph Hernandez.
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.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Heads to injured list
Rotowire
Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle contusion Monday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Summoned from minors
Rotowire
The Brewers recalled Topa from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
Topa was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.
Topa would have been unavailable for a day or two after pitching three of the last four days, so the Brewers decided to remove him from the roster to open up a spot for fellow pitcher Aaron Ashby. Topa will likely be at or near the top of the list if the Brewers need to add a reliever before the season comes to a close.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Remains in majors
Rotowire
Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.
Topa joined the big-league club as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants, and he'll remain in the majors after Freddy Peralta (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday. Topa hasn't yet pitched for the Brewers this year but should serve mainly as a middle reliever.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Recalled as 29th man
Rotowire
Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to serve as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants.
Topa was sent down in mid-August after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, but he'll join the big-league club for its doubleheader against San Francisco. The right-hander has posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 17 innings over 15 relief appearances at Nashville this year and should serve as an extra arm in Milwaukee's bullpen Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Brewers' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Topa sustained a significant right elbow injury in September of 2021 and was forced to begin the 2022 campaign on the injured list. The right-hander also dealt with an elbow issue during spring training in 2021, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Brewers take a cautious approach during his rehab assignment to prevent an aggravation.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Throws live BP
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Topa is returning from September elbow surgery, and Tuesday marked his first time facing live batters since undergoing the procedure. The 31-year-old is building up at the Brewers' spring training facility in Arizona, and he should move to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment in the next couple weeks.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Officially lands on 10-day IL
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Topa sustained a significant right elbow injury in September of 2021 that prevented him from pitching in any Cactus League games this spring. While the right-hander was able to do some rehab work during spring training, he'll be unavailable to begin the regular season and doesn't yet have a clear timetable to return.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Expected to open year on IL
Rotowire
Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Topa (elbow) will remain in rehab mode during spring training and isn't expected to pitch in any Cactus League games, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Topa be ready to throw bullpen sessions by the end of spring training, but the update from Counsell implies that the right-hander will open the season on the injured list while he continues to work back from the flexor tendon injury he sustained in a Sept. 3 appearance versus the Cardinals. Topa was limited to only four relief appearances for the big club in 2021 after suffering a similar elbow injury last spring.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Dealing with 'significant' injury
Rotowire
Topa was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday with a right elbow injury.
Manager Craig Counsell called the injury that forced Topa from Friday's game "significant," per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, and noted that it's Topa's flexor tendon, which was also a problem in spring training. The Brewers are trying to determine the extent of the UCL damage. Topa has shown tremendous resilience, battling back from two Tommy John surgeries and time in independent ball, but a third TJS recovery would be a daunting hill to climb.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Likely heading to injured list
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) will likely be placed on the injured list after he left Friday's game against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Topa was initially diagnosed with right elbow discomfort after his early departure, but he'll get an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the issue. While manager Craig Counsell said that the right-hander will likely require a trip to the injured list, a better idea of his status will likely be revealed based on the results of his MRI.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Leaves game with right elbow injury
Rotowire
Topa exited Friday's game against the Cardinals with right elbow discomfort, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, and he allowed two runs in one inning in Wednesday's win over the Giants. He gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning prior to his departure in Friday's series opener, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Joins major-league club
Rotowire
Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.
Topa surrendered five runs over 1.2 frames during his brief time in the majors in August, and he'll receive another look with one month left in the season. The right-hander should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen for Milwaukee.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Activated by Brewers
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Topa began the season on the 60-day injured list due to a flexor tendon strain, and he spent nearly a month in the minors on a rehab assignment. Across 10 relief appearances, the right-hander posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in nine innings. He'll now be available to make his season debut out of Milwaukee's bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Still weeks away from return
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) is progressing well in his rehab but is still several weeks away from a return, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Topa was recently transferred to Double-A Biloxi to continue his rehab assignment, and he's now made four total rehab outings since July 13. Across those appearances, the righty has allowed one hit and no walks while striking out seven in four scoreless innings. Although the Brewers are pleased with Topa's strong results, he'll likely head to Triple-A Nashville at some point before a potential return from the injured list around mid-August.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Advances in rehab
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) was transferred to Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
A right elbow flexor strain has sidelined the 30-year-old since the end of spring training. Topa appeared in two games while rehabbing at the Arizona Complex League, striking out five and walking none in two scoreless frames. The righty will likely require at least a couple appearances at Double-A before progressing to Triple-A Nashville and ultimately rejoining the Brewers, suggesting an activation around the end of July or early August.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Topa: Throwing bullpens
Rotowire
Topa (elbow) has advanced to throwing bullpens, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Topa has been out all year since suffering a flexor strain in March. The Brewers still don't have an exact timetable for his return, but he's "not crazy far from game action," according to manager Craig Counsell.
