Twins’ Justin Topa Missed Six Weeks With Patellar Tendon Tear

The liberating twins Justin Topa it was discovered that he had torn part of the patellar tendon in his left knee. Coach Nick Paparesta told the club beat that the right-hander received an injection of platelet-rich plasma and will not start throwing for at least six weeks (X link via Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com). Topa revealed that he refused surgery in the hope that he will return in 2024.
Minnesota acquired the 33-year-old as one of four players in a proposed deal Jorge Polanco in Seattle. Tap once Anthony DeSclafani it was expected to deepen the big league pitching staff, but nothing that would impact at least a good portion of the season. (Minnesota also found hope Gabriel Gonzalez again Darren Bowen in commerce.) DeSclafani is out for a year after undergoing flexor tendon surgery in late March. He will be a free agent next winter and may not be a Twin again.
Topa still has to contribute this season, but it likely won’t be before the All-Star break. He entered camp as a top-tier setup arm up front John Duran. Topa is coming off a breakout season in Seattle where he threw 69 innings of 2.61 ERA ball. While his 21.9% strikeout rate was pedestrian, his mid-90s swing helped him keep the ball on the ground nearly 57% of the time opponents made contact.
Unfortunately, Topa has a long injury history that may have contributed to the Mariners’ willingness to include him in the Polanco trade. He has had two Tommy John surgeries in addition to flexor tendon repairs. The knee problem isn’t related to many elbow procedures, but he’s been away for a long time.
Topa makes $1.25MM this season and is subject to arbitration restrictions in 2026. Minnesota will move him to the 60-day injured list whenever a need for a 40-man roster spot arises.
In more good news, Minnesota announced this evening that Byron Buxton will begin maintenance work at Triple-A St. Paul (link via Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune). He will play two games with the Saints and could rejoin the Twins in their division series against the Guardians on Friday. Buxton has been out since May 3 with right knee inflammation. Assuming the rehab stint goes as planned, he’ll miss a few days in addition to a short stay.