Topa might need another elbow procedure
Latest injury lands reliever on 60-day IL
Justin Topa showed incredible fortitude in fighting his way to the big leagues despite undergoing two “Tommy John” reconstructive elbow surgeries.
Now the Milwaukee Brewers reliever is facing the prospect of possibly having a third such procedure to continue pitching.
Topa, who made his big-league debut last season at age 29, injured his elbow again Friday night pitching in the Brewers’ 15-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field. As expected, an MRI performed Saturday showed enough damage for Topa to be placed on the 60-day injured list, ending his season.
“It’s a significant elbow injury, either the same or worse than the one he suffered in spring training,” manager Craig Counsell said.
Topa suffered a flexor tendon strain during spring training and missed the entire first half of the season. He eventually was cleared to make a minorleague rehab assignment and pitched at three levels of the farm system before being called up on Aug. 11.
After two outings, including a rough one in Pittsburgh (five runs in twothirds of an inning), Topa was optioned back to Class AAA Nashville on Aug. 15. He was recalled on Sept. 1 when rosters were expanded from 26 to 28 players and was pitching for the second time in that second stint against the Cardinals, surrendering four runs in two-thirds of an inning before exiting with elbow discomfort.
Putting Topa on the 60-day IL cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever
Jandel Gustave to return from the COVID-19 IL but Counsell said the injury “would have required that anyway.”
“The flexor tendon is involved; they’re determining the UCL involvement and options after that,” Counsell added. “It’s rough news for him, for sure. He’s been through a lot of this before. Obviously, when it keeps happening, it’s just frustrating. Incredibly frustrating and difficult to process.”
Topa had his first Tommy John procedure in 2011 while pitching in college and had his second in 2015 while pitching in Pittsburgh’s farm system. He was released by the Pirates in 2017 but kept his career alive by pitching in independent baseball before signing with the Brewers in March 2019.
Sánchez also recalled
Beyond bringing Gustave back from the COVID-19 IL, the Brewers recalled reliever Miguel Sánchez from Nashville. To open a roster spot for him, left-hander Hoby Milner was optioned back to the Sounds a day after allowing two home runs in less than an inning, including a grand slam to Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.
Counsell said there will be movement up and down in the bullpen often in September for two reasons: rosters were expanded only to 28 instead of as many as 40 as in the past, and Class AAA baseball is going deeper into the month after a later start because of COVID.
“This September is different in that you don’t have this unlimited roster of pitchers to go to,” said Counsell, who used those extra relievers to lead September charges to the postseason in both 2018 and 2019.
“With that in mind, we’re still trying to be cautious with some of our guys and cognizant of where they’re at in a long season. So, we’re going to keep trying to get fresh guys here that can cover innings if asked, and that’s what they’ll do. I think we can establish a pretty good rotation of guys there.”
Left-hander Daniel Norris came out of his outing Friday with a cut on his pitching thumb, an issue he experienced previously, but Counsell said he should be OK to keep pitching when needed.
“That’s not really much to it,” Counsell said. “It’s something that happens. We’re not worried about it.
“It makes it uncomfortable for him when he pitches with it. It’s on his throwing thumb but it’s how he grips the ball. His finger digs into that part of the ball.”
García rested again
Rightfielder Avisaíl García was out of the lineup for the second consecutive day because of soreness in his lower back and legs. Counsell indicated he might also get Sunday off.
“This is a pretty similar spot where Avi was after a Miami road trip (in May),” Counsell said. “It’s the same type thing. Probably ‘iffy’ tomorrow. He’ll play in the Philadelphia series.”
It might not be much longer before the Brewers’ outfield gets one deeper. Tyrone Taylor, who went on the 10-day IL on Aug. 21 with a right oblique strain, has resumed baseball activity and is making progress.
“Tyrone has started to hit, which is a really good sign,” Counsell said. “Everything else has gone plus-plus as far as how he’s feeling. There’s a lot of activity going on.
“We just have to build up some hitting. I think there’s a chance if this week goes well that he doesn’t go with us on the road (to Cleveland and Detroit), and he goes to Nashville (instead).”