Twins place righty reliever Justin Topa on IL, select contract of righty reliever Cody Laweryson
The Twins placed right-handed reliever Justin Topa on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain before yesterday's game between the Twins and Diamondbacks, the team announced. Right-handed reliever Cody Laweryson's contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move.
With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, Topa will likely be out for the remainder of 2025. Topa, whom the Twins acquired along with right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and right-handed pitcher Darren Brown from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jorge Polanco in Jan. 2024, has a club option worth $2MM for 2026. While Topa, who only made three appearances last year due to left patellar tendinitis, has been worth $7.4MM this year per Fangraphs, the Twins likely will decline the option due to his injury history and the fact that he is already 34 years old.
Topa has been counted on in high-leverage situations more often since the trade deadline fire sale. In 54 appearances this season, the former Mariners pitcher has a 3.90 ERA (3.04 FIP) with an 18.3% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate and 47.7% ground-ball rate over 60 innings.
Who is righty reliever Cody Laweryson, whom the Twins called up as a response to Justin Topa's injury?
The Twins selected Laweryson, 27, out of the University of Maine in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He made it to Triple-A last year, but started this season with Double-A Wichita. After posting a 2.89 ERA with 20 strikeouts and four walks in 18 2/3 innings for the Wind Surge this season, Laweryson was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul. For the Saints this year, Laweryson managed a 2.84 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks in 25 1/3 innings. Due to the Twins' lack of established bullpen arms and Topa's injury, Laweryson will finally get the opportunity to pitch at the highest level.
Laweryson, who has a career 3.39 ERA in 327 minor-league innings, has a three-pitch arsenal; he throws a low-90s four-seamer, mid-80s cutter and low-80s changeup.