Angels' Brian Johnson: Joins Angels on minor-league deal
Rotowire
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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Brian Johnson: Seeking other opportunities
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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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Brian Johnson: Granted release by Red Sox
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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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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Leaves training site
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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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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Could join rotation
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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.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Sent down
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Johnson did not make the 30-man roster but will remain stretched out at the alternate training site, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.
With Eduardo Rodriguez out indefinitely due to complications in his recovery from COVID-19, the Red Sox enter the season with very few established big-league starters. Johnson could join the rotation sometime soon, but the plan is for the team to use an opener as the fourth starter and one of Matt Hall or Jeffrey Springs as the fifth starter.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Enters rotation mix
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Johnson tossed three innings in an intrasquad game Sunday, throwing 38 pitches (24 strikes), Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Johnson was removed from the 40-man roster during the offseason, but the left-hander is looking like a candidate to be added to the 40-man as the team's No. 4 starter, per manager Ron Roenicke. "Yes, I do," the manager responded when asked whether he sees Johnson as a potential fourth starter. "We all do. Hopefully he continues [to progress]. We can build him up and then see where we are at the end." The Red Sox have two rotation spots open with Eduardo Rodriguez (illness) doubtful to be ready for the start of the season. Even if Johnson doesn't land in the rotation, it looks like he'd be part of the bullpen with two left-handers, Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez, recovering from COVID-19.
Johnson was added to the Red Sox's 60-man player pool.
Johnson, who is not on the 40-man roster, is expected to land there eventually. He's been a regular on Boston's staff the last couple of seasons, serving as a starter and reliever, before he was exposed to waivers during the offseason. There were no takers, and he's back in a familiar spot -- caught somewhere between the rotation and the bullpen. With Chris Sale (elbow) out for the year and Collin McHugh's availability to start the regular season uncertain due to an elbow, Johnson could find himself as part of the rotation early on or at least serving as an opener. The left-hander is not overpowering and didn't fool many in 2019 when he posted a 6.02 ERA and 1.88 WHIP.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Named candidate to start in 2020
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Johnson could serve as a starter for the Red Sox in 2020, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Johnson served as both a starter and reliever for the major-league club in 2019 prior to being outrighted off the 40-man roster during the offseason. However, he's been relatively effective this spring with a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over five appearances (two starts), which led to interim manager Ron Roenicke listing him as an option to start in 2020 after Chris Sale (elbow) opted for Tommy John surgery Thursday. Roenicke also named Ryan Weber as an option, and it would appear as though Weber has the slight edge after exhibiting dominance on the mound this spring. However, Johnson could serve as a fill-in starter or join the rotation if more injuries occur.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Used as starter, reliever
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Johnson has a 3.86 ERA over five spring appearances, including two starts.
Johnson was dropped from the 40-man roster during the offseason despite being a hybrid starter/reliever for Boston the last two seasons. A best-case scenario for the left-hander, who is being stretched out in camp, is as a temporary fill-in starter for Chris Sale (elbow). The Red Sox are also kicking around the notion of using an opener as their fifth starter, in which case there may not be room for Johnson.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Starting spring opener
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Johnson will start Boston's Grapefruit League opener Friday against Tampa Bay, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Johnson had a 6.02 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 40.1 innings for the Red Sox last season. The left-hander figures to begin the season in the minors or bullpen, though he still has an outside chance to grab the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Outrighted to Pawtucket
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Johnson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Johnson struggled to a 6.02 ERA in 40.1 innings last season. Heading into his age-29 season with a career 4.74 ERA, the lefty could still return to the roster and play a role in the majors this season, but his role isn't likely to be a significant one.
Johnson was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Johnson made seven starts and 14 relief appearances for the Red Sox last season but couldn't find much success. He finished the year with a 6.02 ERA and a 31:23 K:BB in 40.1 innings.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Serving as bulk reliever
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Johnson will work as the primary pitcher Thursday against the Rangers, Guerin Austin of NESN reports.
Travis Lakins will open Thursday's series finale before giving way to Johnson. The southpaw, who hasn't pitched more than two innings all month, owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB in seven appearances (5.2 innings) in September.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Likely starting Thursday
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Johnson will likely start Thursday against the Rangers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Johnson hasn't pitched more than two innings all month, so he'll likely see a similarly light workload should he get the ball for Thursday's series finale. Across seven appearances in September, the southpaw owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB in 5.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Allows two runs in bulk relief
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Johnson allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three over four innings Saturday. He did not factor into the decision in the 10-4 loss to the Angels.
Johnson ultimately pitched the most innings for the Red Sox in the bullpen day, and he was in line for a win before Ryan Brasier's implosion in the eighth inning. This was Johnson's first appearance from the bullpen since it was announced he was exiting the rotation upon the return of David Price (wrist). Johnson has a 6.55 ERA and 1.91 WHIP with 25 strikeouts in 33 innings this year across 13 appearances (seven starts).
