Minnesota Twins Pitcher Hurt During Spring Training Game Again

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Justin Topa, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins played host to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday in Fort Myers. It was a Pablo Lopez day on the bump, and he struggled to keep runs off the board for his second-straight spring training start, allowing 3 hits and 2 runs in 3.2 innings. He also struck out four Orioles hitters, and walked two more.

Many have the Twins projected to win the AL Central division in 2025, but that relies on strong pitching, both from the rotation and the bullpen. Last season, the MN Twins were projected to have one of baseball’s best reliever corps, until injuries tore the bullpen apart arm, by arm before the squad left Fort Myers. Now, one year later, some of those same injury problems are arising.

Justin Topa leaves the mound for Minnesota Twins

In the 2024 regular season, Justin Topa threw in just three games for the Minnesota Twins and was not on the Opening Day roster, after he was acquired as part of the Jorge Polanco trade. His absence was thanks to a knee injury Topa suffered during spring training 2024 down in Florida, when he tweaked his knee covering first base.

It was a tendinitis issue that wound up lingering throughout the year. Setbacks, combined with arm fatigue never allowed the 33-year-old to reach full health. He finished the year with a 0.00 ERA and 2 strikeouts, in just 2 1/3 innings in a Twins uniform.

On Wednesday, one year after suffering a devastating spring injury that derailed his 2024 season, Topa is probably feeling some deja vu. The five-year MLB veteran entered in the sixth inning, immediately forcing outfielder Ramon Laureano to fly out to centerfield. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, one batter later Emmanuel Rivera took Topa deep on a 92.7 mph sinker. One 79.1 mph sweeper later, and the reliever knew something was wrong. He had thrown a 81.2 mph sweeper earlier in the frame. Rocco Baldelli walked to the mound with Minnesota’s trainer and Topa was pulled from the exhibition contest, looking quite dejected.

MN Twins hope for the best with Justin Topa

Last season’s injury was frustrating in that Topa couldn’t get around the stops and starts that his knee dealt in the form of setbacks. Arm injuries are typically more straightforward to diagnose, but shoulder injuries can be especially troublesome.

The sinker velocity was in line with where he averaged last season, but well below the 95.0 mph average he showed with the Seattle Mariners. Arguably, the greater concern was the velocity dip on his sweeper, which he averages closer to 82 mph on.

The injury is officially being designated as right shoulder tightness. Minnesota will evaluate him again on Thursday. Baldelli told the Star Tribune postgame, “We’re not going to jump to any conclusions. We’ll see how he is [Thursday]. It doesn’t appear to be anything overly serious the way he’s describing it and talking about it, but he did feel something that he didn’t like.”

Wednesday was Topa’s third Spring Training appearance of the season. He had previously worked two innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out two and walking none. The Minnesota Twins have yet to make any announcements as to what could be ailing Topa. Of course throwing just seven pitches and leaving the mound is not a good sign. When we know more, it will be added to this article.

Minnesota Twins bullpen needs to stay healthy

While Topa isn’t going to be relied upon in the sense that Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax may be, the reality is that Rocco Baldelli needs the full complement of his depth. Last season Duran suffered an oblique injury and never fully recovered.

Related: Another Year, Another Devastating Injury for Twins Pitching Prospect

Topa’s injury follows that of Matt Canterino’s on Tuesday evening. It was announced that the exciting bullpen prospect had been diagnosed with a right shoulder strain. The former top prospect hasn’t pitched in game action since 2022, and despite being erratic in his Grapefruit League debut, it was great to see him back on the mound.

Brock Stewart was a serious injury concern last year as well, and he should be expecting plenty of restrictions this season. Baldelli’s bullpen has the makings of a very good unit, but only if the parts can remain healthy enough to be on the mound.

Stewart made his first Grapefruit League appearance on Wednesday. He did allow a a run on a hit and a walk, but he also struck out a batter. Minnesota got just 15 2/3 innings from Stewart last season and he underwent shoulder surgery as he looked towards a clean bill of health in 2025.

Related: Chris Paddack in Danger of Losing Starting Job for Twins?

Ultimately the Twins have several key pieces of their roster built around players with a laundry list of injury concerns. That makes it difficult to count on their continued availability. Hopefully Topa avoided anything too long term and will be able to push towards Opening Day this season.

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