| Josh Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson with the Blue Jays in 2013 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-01-31)January 31, 1984 (age 41) 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 atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Joshua Michael Johnson (born January 31, 1984), nicknamed "JJ", is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theFlorida/Miami Marlins andToronto Blue Jays from 2005 through 2013.
Johnson graduated fromJenks High School inJenks, Oklahoma in 2002, when he wasTulsa World All-Metro Player of the Year.[1] He helped lead the Trojans to two State Championships during his high school career.[citation needed] Johnson signed a letter of intent to playcollege baseball for theOklahoma Sooners, for whom his brother, Tyler, also played.[2] Johnson was drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the2002 MLB draft. The righty made his professional baseball debut soon after with theGulf Coast Marlins, earning a 0.60earned run average (ERA) over 15innings.
As a starter with the Single-AGreensboro Grasshoppers during the2003 season, Johnson continued to limit his opponents' offensive numbers, collecting a paltry .223opponent batting average. In2004, he saw more success with the Single-AJupiter 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-ACarolina Mudcats in2005. He was named the Marlins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year[4] after a 12–4 record, a 3.87 ERA and aSouthern League All-Star nod for Carolina.
Johnson made his major league debut September 10, 2005, for the Marlins with a scoreless inning ofrelief against thePhiladelphia Phillies. During the2006 season, Johnson broke onto the Major League scene by going 11–5 as a starter, while tallying a 3.03 ERA in that role. After spending all of April in the Floridabullpen, Johnson emerged as a major contributor in the Marlins' young, but surprisingly successful, starting staff. In 2006 Johnson and fellow Marlin pitchersScott Olsen,Aníbal Sánchez andRicky Nolasco became the first quartet of rookie pitchers in major league history to each record 10wins.[5] He sat out the final three weeks of the season with forearm stiffness.[6] His 3.10 overall ERA would have tied him for third in theNational League, but he fell five innings short of qualifying for the title.[6] Johnson also placed fourth in voting for theNational League Rookie of the Year,[7] an award that went to his fellow Florida teammate,shortstopHanley Ramírez.
Johnson began the2007 season on the disabled list with an irritated ulnar nerve.[6] After returning in June, he was again sidelined by elbow stiffness in July and hadTommy John ligament-replacement surgery on August 3, 2007.[8] He recovered surprisingly quickly and made his return to the Major Leagues on July 10,2008, only eleven months after having undergone surgery.[9] He made 14 starts in 2008, posting a 3.61 ERA.
Johnson hit his first career home run off of Milwaukee'sDave Bush on June 4, 2009. On July 5, 2009, Johnson was selected to the National LeagueAll-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 theColorado Rockies, but it was broken up by aGarrett 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, asRoy Halladay threwa perfect game.
In July 2010, he was selected to his second consecutiveAll-Star Game, which took place inAnaheim. Johnson pitched two perfect innings in the game, notably striking outDerek Jeter andIchiro Suzuki.2010 was also a record-setting year for Johnson, who gave up three runs or less in twelve consecutive starts. On July 28, Johnson hadstarted 21 games, and in those starts, only allowed more than threeearned runs once, giving up only one earned run eight times and no earned runs six times.
Johnson finished the 2010 season second in the Majors inERA (2.30), leading the National League, trailing onlyFélix Hernández ofSeattle. He finished 11–6 with 186strikeouts in 28 starts, his year shortened by back pain. He made his final start of the season on September 4 againstAtlanta.
At the beginning of the 2011 year Johnson kept ano-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 theAtlanta Braves in which Johnson went into the eighth without giving up a hit until Braves hitterFreddie 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 againstKyle Lohse and theSt. Louis Cardinals in the Marlin's first game inMarlins Park. Johnson finished his last season with Miami with an 8–14 record and an ERA of 3.81.
On November 19, 2012, Johnson was traded to theToronto Blue Jays along withMark Buehrle,José Reyes,John Buck, andEmilio Bonifacio, in exchange forJeff Mathis,Adeiny Hechavarria,Henderson Álvarez,Yunel Escobar,Jake Marisnick,Anthony DeSclafani, andJustin Nicolino.[12] On February 5, 2013, managerJohn Gibbons named Johnson the number 4 starter for the upcoming season.[13] Johnson made 4 starts for the Blue Jays before missing a start on April 26, due to a sore right triceps muscle. He was expected to make his next scheduled start but was instead placed on the disabled list due to inflammation.Ricky Romero was called up to take his place in the starting lineup.[14][15] He had one rehab start for the Class-ADunedin Blue Jays before being moved to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons for his second rehab start on May 25. This was his debut at the Triple-A level, as he had skipped that level while in the Marlins' organization.[citation needed]
On May 31, the Blue Jays announced that Johnson would be activated from the disabled list and start against theSan 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 theBaltimore 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 theSeattle 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.[19] Johnson finished the 2013 season on the disabled list, and posted a dismal 2–8 record, a 6.20 earned run average, and 83 strikeouts over 811⁄3 innings. On October 1, 2013, Johnson underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The surgery was performed byDr. James Andrews and required 5 weeks of recovery.[20]
On November 19, 2013, Johnson agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with theSan Diego Padres. If he made fewer than 7 starts with the team, they could have exercised a $4 million option for the 2015 season.[7][21] The Padres organization reported on March 22, 2014, that Johnson would open the season on the disabled list due to a strained right forearm/elbow muscle, and was initially expected to miss at least 4–5 weeks. On April 15, it was announced that he would seeDr. James Andrews for a consultation on his injured elbow, and could opt for his second Tommy John surgery.[22] The Padres reported on April 23 that Johnson would undergo Tommy John surgery, and miss the 2014 season.[23] On October 30, the Padres declined Johnson's option, making him a free agent.[24] On January 7, 2015, he re-signed with the Padres on a one-year contract with $1 million guaranteed.[25] Johnson threw a simulated game on April 28, but experienced triceps tightness as well as a nerve issue in his neck. He would rest with these injuries until August 27, when he threw 16 pitches in another simulated game.[26] On September 16, it was announced that Johnson would undergo a third Tommy John surgery, and miss the entire 2016 season.[27]
Attempting another comeback from Tommy John surgery, Johnson signed a minor league contract with theSan Francisco Giants on November 1, 2016.[28] However, he announced his retirement on January 19, 2017.[29]
His father is Canadian, and his mother is Native American. His father spent his years growing up inCalgary,Alberta before the family relocated to the U.S.[30] Johnson himself was born in Minneapolis a short time later in 1984.
· Baseball Almanac