The Reds declined Johnson's $8 million mutual option for the 2027 season Saturday.
Johnson turned in one of the worst seasons of his career in 2026, finishing the year with a 4.62 ERA and 1.36 WHIP alongside a 42:19 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The Reds will decline to give the right-hander a $2.2 million raise as a result and instead pay him a $1 million buyout to move on. Johnson could still draw some interest in the open market, but he isn't likely to serve as more than a middle reliever in 2027.