Yankees Recall Veteran Reliever Justin Topa Ahead of Astros Series

On August 24, 2026, the New York Yankees optioned right-hander Brendan Beck to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and subsequently recalled veteran reliever Justin Topa to the active roster. The roster shift creates a spot for Topa on both the 26-man roster and the 40-man roster, a move the club announced via its official Twitter account.

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The Yankees have navigated a spate of injuries over the past two months, particularly among starting pitchers, prompting a reliance on depth arms in the bullpen. After signing Topa as a free agent earlier in August, the club kept him in its minor-league system, where he posted a 1.80 ERA in four Triple-A appearances. The decision to promote him coincides with the start of a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, a matchup that could require additional bullpen flexibility.

New York Post

• Justin Topa – In 2025 with the Minnesota Twins, he recorded a 1-5 win-loss record, a 3.90 ERA, and 49 strikeouts. In the current 2026 season, his 23 appearances for Minnesota yielded a 0-1 record, an 8.05 ERA, and 12 strikeouts. Across seven major-league seasons (Milwaukee Brewers 2020-22, Seattle Mariners 2023, Twins 2024-26), he is 6-11 with a 4.27 ERA in 172 appearances (one start).

Reuters

• Triple-A performance – In the Yankees’ system, Topa allowed one earned run over five innings, translating to a 1.80 ERA.

New York Post

• Brendan Beck – In his brief major-league stint this season, Beck posted a 0-1 record with a 9.45 ERA in two appearances. At Triple-A, he is 9-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 133 strikeouts, and a 1.05 WHIP across 121 innings.

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• Team standing – After an 8-3 win over Toronto, the Yankees sit at 74-56, three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead.

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The Yankees’ official Twitter account confirmed the roster move, stating that Beck was “optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.” The club noted that an additional transaction will be required to secure Topa on the 40-man roster, indicating ongoing roster management ahead of the Astros series. No further comment was provided by team officials.

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The precise mechanism—whether a corresponding player will be designated for assignment or placed on the injured list—remains unconfirmed.

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The Yankees will field Topa in the upcoming series against the Houston Astros, beginning Tuesday night, with the outcome of the series expected to influence bullpen usage as the team pursues the AL East lead in the final stretch of the 2026 season.

New York Post