Ryan Johnson gives up three runs through five

Johnson held the Giants scoreless over two innings, then fell apart in the fifth as he gave up five runs on five hits, including a three-run homer by Jung Hoo Lee. Two hits and a hit batter would bring a run in and leave two runners on in the fourth as Johnson was chased at 69 pitches. Both inherited runners would come in to score, making it eight earned runs allowed. The 23-year-old right-hander will take a 7.34 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 34/17 K/BB ratio across 41 2/3 innings into a start against the Brewers in Anaheim on Friday.

Johnson gave up a leadoff homer to Kevin McGonigle in the first, but that was all of the damage. He allowed only one more hit, so the three walks didn’t hurt, and he posted a 13.2 percent swinging strike rate and 32 percent CSW on the day while striking out five. Johnson has a 6.10 ERA on the season, but he has pitched much better lately with a 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a nearly 24 percent strikeout rate over 25 innings in his last five starts. He’ll pitch in San Francisco next weekend and could be on the streaming radar in deeper formats.

Detmers has been a viable fantasy option for most of the first half of the season despite winning only three games, as he registered a 4.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 123/35 K/BB ratio across 108 2/3 innings through his first 19 starts. He’ll be followed in the Angels’ rotation by Grayson Rodriguez and Ryan Johnson in their weekend series against the Tigers. Jose Soriano and Walbert Urena will pitch on Monday and Tuesday respectively against the Cardinals.

Johnson gave up a two-run homer in the second and a three-run blast in the third, but the runs from the latter were all unearned after a Zach Neto error extended the inning. It brings Johnson’s total of homers allowed to eight in 28 1/3 innings this season and 12 in 43 innings total as a major leaguer. He’s definitely throwing better now than he has at any other point since debuting with the Angels, but he remains far away from contributing in fantasy leagues. He’ll likely face the Twins on Saturday.

The two unearned runs came in the fourth. Johnson retired the first two batters of the inning, but a HBP and a Denzer Guzman error followed. After that, Cal Raleigh flipped a little 74-mph flyball into shallow left to plate two runs. The Angels could activate Grayson Rodriguez this weekend, with either Johnson or Sam Aldegheri getting sent to the bullpen or, more likely, Triple-A. Johnson helped the cause a little tonight, but he’s still 1-3 with a 7.40 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances.

Johnson was outstanding on Tuesday in what was his best start in the majors so far, holding the Orioles scoreless over six innings on his way to a win. He allowed just one hit and one walk while generating 15 whiffs to strike out eight batters. The 23-year-old right-hander will look to build on his excellent outing with a start against the Mariners in Seattle on Monday.

All five runs came in the first. After a clean single to start the inning, novice outfielder Christian Moore botched Nick Kurtz’s fly to left for a double and back-to-back homers followed. Johnson finally escaped the frame after 35 pitches and then never gave up any extra-base hits or walks afterwards. His career ERA actually dropped from 10.17 to 9.96 with the performance. He’ll probably be sent down for a fresh arm Friday, but we’ll see.

The 23-year-old right-hander will rejoin the Angels to start against the Athletics on Thursday evening in West Sacramento. Johnson holds a 15.12 ERA, 2.64 WHIP and a 5/7 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings with the Halos this season. He does not make for an attractive streaming option on Thursday evening and should be avoided at all costs.

Johnson returns to the minors after allowing eight runs over five innings across three relief appearances since returning from the injured list on May 15. The 23-year-old still has a chance to eventually emerge as a back-end rotation arm for the Angels but the results haven’t been there in the majors over the last two years.

Johnson was put on the injured list back on April 6th with a viral infection, but then was pulled from his rehab start the next week with a hamstring strain. He restarted his rehab assignment at the beginning of the month and will now return to a spot on the Angels’ active roster, with Drew Pomeranz headed to the IL. Johnson will be an option for the final spot in the rotation that’s currently being held by Alek Manoah, who has been pitching in bulk relief.