Yankees Sign Struggling Veteran Reliever

August 16, 2026 , , ,
The New York Yankees added bullpen depth, signing veteran right-hander Justin Topa to a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The move fills a spot vacated by Angel Chivilli, who landed on the injured list with an elbow issue.

A Rough Season That's Bounced Him Through Three Organizations

There's no dressing this one up. 

Topa opened 2026 with the Minnesota Twins and was brutal, posting an 8.05 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP across 19 innings and 23 relief appearances, walking 11 while striking out just 12 and letting opponents hit .346 against him. 

Minnesota designated him for assignment in mid-May and released him shortly after.

From there, Topa bounced through stints with the Blue Jays' and Royals' Triple-A affiliates before landing with the Yankees, continuing what's become a well-traveled year for the 35-year-old.

New York Is Still Willing To Look

The bet is on what Topa showed three years ago, not this season. 

In 2023 with the Seattle Mariners, he was a very reliable middle-relief option, working 69 innings across 75 appearances with 23 holds, a 2.61 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP, keeping the ball on the ground and limiting walks. 

Seattle later traded him to Minnesota as part of the deal that brought back Jorge Polanco, and injuries, including multiple Tommy John procedures, have interrupted his career at various points since.

He's a Binghamton, New York native who played college ball at LIU-Brooklyn.

Because it's a minor league deal, there's no real risk attached. If Topa can rediscover even a fraction of his 2023 form in Scranton, an injury or two at the big league level could be enough to earn him a September look in the Bronx.

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