The Giants have signed pitcher Josh Johnson to a minor league contract, MiLB Roster Tracker reported on Twitter on Tuesday night. MLB Trade Rumors confirmed the deal.
Johnson, 32, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2013 due to injuries. He spent the last two years in the Padres’ organization and underwent Tommy John surgery last year that put him out of action for the entire 2016 season. Johnson, in fact, has undergone Tommy John surgery three times in his career.
When Johnson was healthy, he was menacing. His best season came in 2010 with the Marlins when he finished with a 2.30 ERA and a 186/48 K/BB ratio in 183 2/3 innings, finishing fifth in National League Cy Young Award balloting. But he has crossed the 100-inning plateau only four times over parts of nine seasons between 2005-13.
The Giants are taking a no-risk flier on Johnson. Even if he’s unable to stay healthy, the Giants will have lost nothing by giving him a chance.