Justin

Topa

Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune adds that he’ll get a $1 million base salary for 2026 and the deal will include a $5 million mutual option ($225,000 buyout) for the 2027 season. The 34-year-old right-hander earned $1 million during a 2025 campaign in which he registered a 3.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 49/18 K/BB ratio over 60 innings for the Twins. He’ll once again function in a middle relief role for the Twins in 2026.

Topa has really struggled since taking a high-leverage role with the Twins after the Jhoan Duran trade, and there’s a chance his season is over. The 34-year-old should be a late-inning reliever for Minnesota again in 2026, assuming he’s back with the organization.

The Twins called upon Topa to clean up the mess left by Kody Funderburk and he could not deliver. He entered the up by two, with runners on first and second, and one out. Then, he gave up back-to-back hits which drove home both inherited runners plus one of his own on his way to a loss. This was his second blown save in this series alone as it looks like he’s no longer the trusted closer in Minnesota. It may very well be Funderburk, but this bullpen is a total mess.

One of the Twins’ top closing options, Topa was asked to pitch the eighth with a one-run lead today, but he couldn’t get the job done. If he had, it probably would have been Cole Sands closing this one out. Kody Funderburk, who had the Twins’ last save Friday, worked a scoreless seventh today.

Working with a three-run lead, he gave up a single and an RBI double with two outs. All four of Topa’s saves have come since the Twins’ Great Bullpen Purge of July 31. He’ll continue to be the top option in the ninth unless he begins to struggle

Topa’s grip on the closer’s role with the Twins continues to tighten. The 34-year-old right-hander put up another scoreless outing that lasted longer than three outs and picked up the save against the White Sox on Friday. The Twins have to be satisfied with what Topa’s giving them right now, which gives him fantasy value as long as he stays in the role.

Topa breezed through two innings to secure his second save of the season and looks he has at least a strong share of the closer’s role in Minnesota. He closed out their last two saves opportunities and pitched during a tie game in the ninth inning between them. Not exactly a conventional closer as a righty who sits around 94 mph with a sinker and sweeper, but he’ll have value as long as he has this role.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run homer. Sands looked like he might be the favorite for saves in the Minnesota pen after the Twins traded all of their better arms, but he’s yet to be held back for the ninth, and he’s now given up four runs in four innings this month. Justin Topa, who threw a scoreless ninth in a tie game today, might be the better bet at this point.

No word yet on the reason for the change. It’ll be Justin Topa taking the ball for a bullpen game instead. It’s unclear whether Woods Richardson is dealing with an injury-related issue (or illness). It’s possible he’s fine physically and will make a bulk relief appearance. The 24-year-old righty has compiled a respectable 4.30 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 16/5 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 innings (three starts) to open the season. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Topa left Wednesday’s Grapefruit League game due to the shoulder issue. The right-hander will play catch Saturday, and the team will determine the next steps for the reliever after.