Manager John Farrell said that Johnson is a "strong candidate" to enter the rotation as the fifth starter, Tim Britton of The Providence Journal reports.
A vacancy in the rotation was created when Hector Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A following his rough spot start, and it seems like Johnson has moved up in the pecking order. Even if he does pick up a start or two in the big leagues, David Price's (elbow) impending activation would likely send Johnson back to the minor leagues. If he does in fact get a callup, Johnson would likely be in line to start Saturday against the Mariners.