The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have reinstated right-handed pitcher Justin Topa from the 60-day Injured List, and recalled right-handed pitcher Jorge Alcala and utility player Austin Martin.
Topa has missed the entire season so far with left patellar tendinitis. The 33-year-old was one of four players acquired in January from Seattle in the Jorge Polanco trade and made 75 relief appearances for the Mariners last season. Over those 75 games, he went 5-4 with a 2.61 ERA (69.0 IP, 20 ER), three saves, 24 holds, 18 walks, 61 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP, setting single-season career highs in virtually all categories. His 75 appearances were also tied for second most in baseball. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound right-hander ranked in the 97th percentile in the majors in barrel percentage (3.0%) and in the 94th percentile in expected ERA (2.97).
Alcala, who was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on September 16, made two appearances during his most recent stint with the Saints, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings with no walks and two strikeouts. He has appeared in 51 games for the Twins this season, going 4-3 with a 3.46 ERA (54.2 IP, 21 ER), 15 holds, 19 walks, 52 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP.
Martin, who was optioned to St. Paul on September 11, played in nine games upon his return to the Saints, hitting .333 (11-for-33) with one double, one RBI, seven walks and an .840 OPS. Martin has played in 89 games over three separate stints for the Twins this season, hitting .252 (55-for-218) with 16 doubles, one triple, one home run, 16 RBI, 41 runs scored and seven stolen bases.
To make room for Topa, Alcala and Martin on the 28-man roster, the Twins have placed outfielder Matt Wallner on the 10-day Injured List with a left oblique strain, optioned left-handed pitcher Brent Headrick and designated left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin for release or assignment. Wallner, who left last night’s game in the seventh inning with the injury, has played in 75 games for the Twins this season, hitting .259 (57-for-220) with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 24 walks, a .372 on-base percentage, a .523 slugging percentage and an .894 OPS. Headrick, who was recalled by Minnesota on September 21, appeared in one game for the Twins, allowing one run on two hits in 3.0 innings pitched, with two walks and five strikeouts on September 22 at Boston (Game 1). Irvin, who was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on September 16, appeared in four games for the Twins, going 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA (3.2 IP, 5 ER), four walks and two strikeouts.
(info courtesy of Twins)
