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yesterday

Yankees Move to Add Justin Topa to Major‑League Bullpen

A roster move that would open a 40‑man spot by transferring Giancarlo Stanton to the 60‑day injured list requires the Yankees to keep Topa on the active roster or expose him to waivers.

Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Brendan Beck (89) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images/File Photo
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The Yankees are calling up Justin Topa, seen here pitching for the Twins earlier this season.
Apr 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Justin Topa (48) delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Multiple reports say the Yankees plan to select Justin Topa’s contract and call him up from Triple‑A, but the club had not announced the transaction when the coverage was published.
  • The club must create a 40‑man roster spot to add Topa because he is not currently on New York’s 40‑man list, and moving Giancarlo Stanton to the 60‑day injured list is the likely way to do that.
  • Topa signed a minor‑league deal with the Yankees after being released by Minnesota earlier this season and posted a 1.75 ERA in 25 2/3 Triple‑A innings for Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre.
  • Scouting and stats show Topa’s results are surface‑level: his strikeout rate has fallen and his sinker velocity is down from his peak, and he has shifted mix from a low‑80s slider to a low‑90s cutter.
  • Because Topa has more than five years of big‑league service he cannot be optioned, so the Yankees must keep him on the active roster or designate him for assignment and risk losing him on waivers, making this a short‑term, low‑cost bullpen gamble with roster exposure.