Ryan

Johnson

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.

Johnson was pulled off his rehab assignment two weeks ago because of a hamstring issue, but the right-hander has recovered and faced live hitting in Arizona. The 23-year-old will likely need a few rehab appearances before being ready to join the Angels’ pitching staff.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters Johnson will undergo further evaluation and testing after feeling a tweak in his hamstring. The 23-year-old threw just two pitches prior to departing the contest. Johnson has been on the shelf since early April recovering from a viral infection.

Johnson winds up requiring a trip to the injured list after being scratched from Sunday’s start against the Mariners due to illness. The 23-year-old’s absence seems to pave the way for pitching prospect George Klassen to get some run in the rotation for at least another turn or two.