The Royals have signed right-hander Justin Topa to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He has been assigned to Triple-A Omaha. The Blue Jays released him from a minor league deal a couple of days ago.
Topa, 35, has some major league success but is not having a good year. He started this season with the Twins but posted an 8.05 earned run average in 19 innings. His 54.4% ground ball rate was strong but his 13% strikeout rate and 12% walk rate were both well worse than average. He was designated for assignment and released in May, then signed his aforementioned minor league deal with the Jays. He reported to Triple-A Buffalo and put up a solid 3.38 ERA in eight innings, though while only striking out 10.5% of opponents.
A few years ago, Topa was working on a late-bloomer breakout. With the Mariners in 2023, his age-32 season, he tossed 69 innings with a 2.61 ERA, 21.9% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate and 56.7% ground ball rate. He was traded to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign, but that season was mostly wiped out by a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, limiting him to just three appearances. He mostly bounced back last year, giving the Twins 60 innings with a 3.90 ERA, 18.3% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate and 47.7% ground ball rate.
The Twins and Topa avoided arbitration for 2026, agreeing to a $1.225MM guarantee, in the form of a $1MM salary and $225K buyout on a $5MM mutual option. Minnesota is still on the hook for the remainder that money. If another club gives him a roster spot, they would only have to pay him the prorated league minimum, which would be subtracted from what the Twins pay.
For the Royals, there’s no harm in taking a flier on Topa via a non-roster pact. Their pitching staff has been hit by a number of injuries. Starters Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic have both missed a lot of time. Ragans won’t be coming back this year after recently undergoing UCL surgery. The loss of those two starters has put more strain on a bullpen that is without Carlos Estévez, James McArthur, Nick Mears and Connor Seabold.
It’s possible the group will be thinned out further in the coming weeks. The Royals are 37-54, ahead of only the Angels in the American League. They are highly likely to do some selling ahead of the deadline, meaning some pitchers could be sent out for prospects. Topa gives the club some extra depth without taking up a roster spot. If he earns his way up to the big leagues, he’ll be the cheapest addition possible.
Photo courtesy of Matt Krohn, Imagn Images
