Player News
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Johnson signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Monday. Johnson owns a respectable 4.74 career ERA in 171 innings at the major-league level. The last of those came in 2019, however, and he's been out of affiliated ball since getting released by the Red Sox last August. His only game action over the last two years has come this season with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the independent American Association, where he struck out eight batters and walked none over five scoreless innings. He's expected to head to Triple-A Salt Lake once he clears health and safety protocols.
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Johnson is seeking other major-league opportunities following his release, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. After Johnson left the Red Sox's alternate training site recently, there was some speculation that he could be opting out of the 2020 season. However, manager Ron Roenicke revealed Monday that the southpaw was unhappy that he was still in alternate camp. Since he didn't have any options remaining, Boston granted his release so he could seek opportunities elsewhere. While it's unclear whether he'll find a spot in a major-league rotation, Johnson appears committed to playing in 2020.
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Johnson (personal) was granted his release by the Red Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Johnson recently left the alternate training site in Pawtucket without providing an explanation for his departure, but he'll now hit free agency. It's unclear whether the southpaw plans to play during the remainder of the 2020 season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but he'll be free to sign elsewhere. Johnson was viewed as a candidate for Boston's major-league rotation this year and could serve as a starter if he returns in 2020.
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Johnson recently left the Red Sox's alternate training site in Pawtucket and returned home to Florida, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. Johnson nor the team has provided an explanation for his departure, but sources familiar with his situation believe the 29-year-old may opt out of the 2020 season. The southpaw most recently tossed 5.1 innings in a simulated game Friday and was viewed as a potential option for the big-league rotation, but his lack of a 40-man roster spot may have hindered his chances of receiving a callup.
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Johnson is a candidate to replace Ryan Weber in the starting rotation, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Boston manager Ron Roenicke indicated that someone from the alternate training camp in Pawtucket would replace Weber, so Dylan Covey, who was called up Saturday after Weber was optioned, is expected to pitch out of the bullpen. "We already have plans on who's going to come up and be one of the other starters. And like we talked about, we're waiting to see if somebody takes off. And who knows? Maybe that will be the third or fourth spot and every fifth day we won't have to worry about it," Roenicke said. Johnson pitched a simulated game Friday, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, which puts the left-hander on schedule to throw Wednesday on regular rest. The Red Sox would need to add Johnson to the 40-man roster.