Josh Johnson (pitcher)
Josh Johnson | |
---|---|
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 10, 2005, for the Florida Marlins | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 6, 2013, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 58–45 |
Earned run average | 3.40 |
Strikeouts | 915 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Joshua Michael Johnson (born January 31, 1984), nicknamed "JJ", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida/Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays from 2005 through 2013.
Early career
Johnson graduated from
As a starter with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers during the 2003 season, Johnson continued to limit his opponents' offensive numbers, collecting a paltry .223 opponent batting average. In 2004, he saw more success with the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads. Despite a 5–12 record, Johnson's ERA remained a solid 3.46.[3]
Johnson's performance at the Single-A level earned Johnson a promotion to the Double-A
Major League career
Florida/Miami Marlins (2005–2012)
Johnson made his major league debut September 10, 2005, for the Marlins with a scoreless inning of
Johnson began the

Johnson hit his first career home run off of Milwaukee's Dave Bush on June 4, 2009. On July 5, 2009, Johnson was selected to the National League All-Star squad for the first time but did not play in the game. On August 14, Johnson took a no-hitter into the 7th inning against the Colorado Rockies, but it was broken up by a Garrett Atkins home run.[10] He finished 2009 with a 15-5 record and a 3.23 ERA with 191 strike-outs in 209 innings.[citation needed]
On January 15, 2010, Johnson agreed to a four-year contract with the Marlins worth $39 million.[11]
On May 29, 2010, Johnson lost to the Phillies 1–0, as Roy Halladay threw a perfect game.
In July 2010, he was selected to his second consecutive
Johnson finished the 2010 season second in the Majors in ERA (2.30), leading the National League, trailing only Félix Hernández of Seattle. He finished 11–6 with 186 strikeouts in 28 starts, his year shortened by back pain. He made his final start of the season on September 4 against Atlanta.
At the beginning of the 2011 year Johnson kept a no-hitter at least to the fifth inning four out of the first five times he took the mound. The high point was the game against the Atlanta Braves in which Johnson went into the eighth without giving up a hit until Braves hitter Freddie Freeman legged out a broken bat single. Johnson's 2011 season ended after nine starts due to right shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with a 3–1 record and a 1.64 ERA.
In 2012, Johnson was named the Opening Day starter for the Marlins for the third straight year, although he was coming off from a shoulder inflammation injury. On April 4, 2012, Johnson pitched 6 innings against
Toronto Blue Jays (2013)
On November 19, 2012, Johnson was traded to the
On May 31, the Blue Jays announced that Johnson would be activated from the disabled list and start against the San Francisco Giants on June 4.[16] Johnson pitched 7 innings in his return from the disabled list and took the loss, allowing 2 runs (only 1 earned run), with no walks and 6 strikeouts.[17] Johnson earned his first win as a Blue Jay on June 23 against the Baltimore Orioles, which extended the Jays' winning streak to 11 games, tying the franchise record.[18] After earning his first win, Johnson lost 6 consecutive starts, the longest such streak of his career. During his losing streak, his ERA rose from 4.60 to a career-high 6.60. Johnson earned his second win of the season on August 6, against the Seattle Mariners, in what would turn out to be his final major league game.
Johnson was scratched from his scheduled next start on August 12 due to forearm tightness, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 13.
San Diego Padres
On November 19, 2013, Johnson agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with the
Retirement
Attempting another comeback from Tommy John surgery, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on November 1, 2016.[28] However, he announced his retirement on January 19, 2017.[29]
Personal life
His father is Canadian, and his mother is Native American. His father spent his years growing up in Calgary, Alberta before the family relocated to the U.S.[30] Johnson himself was born in Minneapolis a short time later in 1984.
See also
References
- ^ Greg Echlin, "Johnson bounces back: Two years after surgery, Jenks graduate an All-Star", Tulsa World, July 14, 2009.[dead link ]
- ^ "Oklahoma Baseball Signs Seven During Early-Signing Period :: Five Oklahoma high school stars ink letters-of-intent with Sooners". OU Athletics. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Josh Johnson Minor League Stats". Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ Rojas, Enrique (September 7, 2006). "Johnson flourishing in first season with Marlins". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
- ^ Frisaro, Joe (September 27, 2006). "Sanchez helps make more history". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
- ^ a b c Hadorn, Chris (March 16, 2007). "Josh Johnson, SP, Florida Marlins". KFFL.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ a b Center, Bill (November 19, 2013). "Padres add Josh Johnson to rotation". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ "Marlins' Johnson undergoes Tommy John surgery, out through '08". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 5, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
- ^ Frisaro, Joe (July 22, 2009). "One year later, Johnson looking forward". MLB.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ Capozzi, Josh (August 14, 2009). "Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson has no-hitter broken up in seventh inning". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ "AP source: Johnson, Marlins reach $39M, 4-yr deal". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 14, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "MLB approves mega-deal between Blue Jays and Marlins". TSN.ca. November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ Toman, Chris (February 5, 2013). "Blue Jays set rotation around No. 1 Dickey". MLB.com. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
- ^ "Jays put Johnson on DL, recall Romero to start Friday". TSN.ca. May 2, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 2, 2013). "Romero back with Jays as Johnson hits DL". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ Baer, Bill (May 31, 2013). "Blue jays will activate Josh Johnson on Tuesday". Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ Chisholm, Gregor (June 4, 2013). "Johnson bested despite strong return vs. Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ Chisholm, Gregor (June 23, 2013). "Blowout win puts Blue Jays firmly in AL East race". MLB.com. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ^ "Josh Johnson to DL". KFFL.com. August 13, 2013. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ Davidi, Shi (October 1, 2013). "Blue Jays' Johnson undergoes elbow surgery". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
- ^ "Padres and Johnson agree to one-year, $8 million contract". TSN.ca. November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ Axisa, Mike (April 15, 2014). "Josh Johnson to see Dr. James Andrews about troublesome elbow". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ Axisa, Mike (April 23, 2014). "Josh Johnson to undergo second Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ Adams, Steve (October 30, 2014). "Padres Decline Josh Johnson's Option". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "Padres Sign Josh Johnson to One-Year Contract". Padres.com. January 7, 2015.
- ^ Lin, Dennis (August 27, 2015). "Johnson throws sim game". sandiegotribune.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
- ^ Heyman, John (September 16, 2015). "Josh Johnson, aiming for comeback, to have third Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Adams, Steve (November 1, 2016). "Giants, Josh Johnson Agree To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (January 19, 2017). "Josh Johnson To Retire". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Scott Ferguson (March 29, 2013). "Will the Blue Jays Re-sign Josh Johnson?". TSN.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)