Red Sox Send Lefty Brian Johnson to Triple-A After He Clears Waivers
By Chris Russo
After the Boston Red Sox watched swingman/relief pitcher Brian Johnson injure his elbow and pitch to a 6.02 ERA in 2019, they released him from the bounds of their roster.
However, after going unclaimed by all 29 other MLB teams, Johnson has elected to head to Triple-A Pawtucket and resume his Sox tenure, which seemed over just a few days ago.
Brian Johnson remains in the organization after clearing waivers: https://t.co/nyCpBcVoSD
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 27, 2019
Johnson was a crucial part of the Red Sox bullpen in their 2018 World Series Championship season. Though the 'pen struggled as a whole throughout the regular season, Johnson ate innings, throwing nearly 100, and recording a 4.17 ERA.
However, Johnson's elbow injury was partially to blame for just over 40 innings of work in 2019. In addition, Johnson's WHIP skyrocketed from 1.43 in 2018 to 1.88 in 2019, which was also the first time since Johnson's rookie year in 2015 that he finished with a negative WAR.
The move to release Johnson was one of the first under new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who specializes in cap management. The Red Sox are likely to replace Johnson in his swingman role with Kyle Hart, another left-handed pitcher whom Boston drafted in the 19th round out of Indiana University in 2016.
The #RedSox today made the following roster moves:
— Red Sox (@RedSox) November 21, 2019
INF C.J. Chatham and Bobby Dalbec and LHP Kyle Hart were added to the ML roster from AAA Pawtucket.
OF Marcus Wilson was added to the ML roster from AA Portland.
LHP Yoan Aybar was added to the ML roster from High-A Salem.
But, for now, he remains in their ranks. Johnson and the Red Sox are scheduled to go into arbitration for the first time in 2021.