Johnson pitched just one inning Wednesday, allowing two runs on three walks for Triple-A Pawtucket.
The immediate concern was that there might be an injury, but the Red Sox organization was quick to point out that weather was a factor in the decision to remove Johnson, according to the Providence Journal. Johnson had warmed up for the scheduled 10:35 a.m. start, but rain delayed the start of the game by 81 minutes. When he got on the mound to start the game, he didn't have his best stuff. The Red Sox are right to be cautious with the left-hander, who missed the final two months of 2015 with nerve irritation in the forearm and had a toe injury during spring training this year. He had been on a pitch limit to start 2016, but had ramped up to at least 95 pitches in his previous two starts.