Blue Jays Add Veteran Reliever Justin Topa on Minor League Deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have added experienced relief help to their organization, signing right-handed pitcher Justin Topa to a minor-league contract. The move, confirmed through the MiLB.com transaction log, sends the veteran immediately to Triple-A Buffalo as he works to reestablish his form.

Topa’s arrival comes during a challenging stretch for Toronto’s pitching staff, which has been impacted by multiple injuries across both the rotation and bullpen. The organization has been active in searching for depth options capable of providing innings at the major league level if needed.

The 35-year-old was recently released by the Minnesota Twins after struggling through a difficult start to the 2026 season. In 23 appearances, he posted an 8.05 ERA while allowing 27 hits and 11 walks across 19 innings of work.

Despite his recent struggles, Topa brings significant major league experience and a track record of effective bullpen work across multiple organizations. His career has included stops with the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Twins, with moments of strong production in relief roles.

1. A Veteran Arm With Past Success

Topa has appeared in 172 major league games since his debut in 2020, compiling a 4.27 ERA along with one start and nine career saves. While his role has varied, he has primarily been used as a middle-relief option capable of handling multiple innings. His most successful season came in 2023 with Seattle, when he delivered a 2.61 ERA over 69 innings. That year, he combined effective command with a strong ground-ball rate and above-average strikeout numbers, making him a reliable piece in the Mariners’ bullpen. In 2025 with Minnesota, he remained a serviceable bullpen arm, posting a 3.90 ERA across 60 innings. His underlying metrics during that season suggested solid command and the ability to generate weak contact when healthy. For Toronto, those past performances likely played a role in the decision to bring him into the system despite his recent decline.

2. Decline In Stuff And Recent Struggles

This season, however, Topa’s effectiveness has dropped significantly. His velocity has declined, with his sinker averaging 93.2 mph compared to 95.2 mph during his peak years, reducing the margin for error against major league hitters. The loss of velocity has coincided with a sharp decline in swing-and-miss production. His secondary pitches, once reliable tools for generating outs, have become far less effective against opposing lineups. Most notably, his sweeper has seen a dramatic drop in performance. After producing a 33% whiff rate in 2025, that number fell to just 5.9% in 2026, leading to reduced usage and diminished confidence in the pitch. In addition to performance regression, Topa has dealt with a lengthy injury history, including two Tommy John surgeries and multiple physical setbacks involving his knee, ankle, triceps, and oblique.

3. Toronto’s Need For Pitching Depth

The Blue Jays’ decision to add Topa reflects broader concerns about organizational pitching depth. Injuries have impacted both the rotation and bullpen, forcing the club to explore external options for reinforcements. Key pitchers including Max Scherzer, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, Yimi Garcia, Joe Mantiply, and Tommy Nance have all spent time sidelined, limiting Toronto’s ability to maintain consistency on the mound. In that context, low-risk additions like Topa provide potential short-term insurance. While he begins his tenure in Triple-A, the organization could call on him if he shows signs of regaining his previous form. Financially, the move carries minimal risk for Toronto. Minnesota remains responsible for the majority of Topa’s salary, while the Blue Jays would only owe the prorated league minimum if he reaches the major league roster, making the signing a flexible depth investment rather than a long-term commitment.