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The Reds reinstated Johnson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Johnson gave up one run in a one-inning, 17-pitch rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, and that was apparently all the Reds needed to see from the right-hander on the farm before adding him back to their bullpen. Before hitting the shelf May 30 due to right elbow inflammation, Johnson had been working in a setup role for the Reds and posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while collecting four holds, one save and two wins in 24 appearances.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Returning Monday
Rotowire
Johnson (elbow) is set to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, MLB.com reports.
Johnson rejoined the Reds on Sunday and will be available out of the bullpen this week after making a lone rehab appearance at Triple-A Louisville. The right-hander threw 17 pitches for Louisville on Friday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Johnson (elbow) allowed one earned run on two hits and struck out one batter in a one-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
Johnson threw 17 pitches (13 strikes) in the first appearance of his rehab assignment. If the Reds are satisfied with the right-hander's condition following Friday's appearance, he could return from the 15-day injured list later this weekend.
Johnson (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Johnson threw a simulated game/live batting practice session Monday and is ready for the next step. The reliever isn't expected to need much time in the minors and could be activated Friday.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Facing hitters Monday
Rotowire
Johnson (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters in a simulated game or batting practice Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Johnson has spent just over the minimum amount of time on the 15-day injured list after being deactivated May 30 due to right elbow inflammation, so if he fares well in Monday's live session, he could bypass a rehab assignment and rejoin the Cincinnati bullpen later this week. The right-hander has been a key high-leverage arm for the Reds this season, notching two wins, four holds and one save while pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 22 innings.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Scheduled for bullpen Tuesday
Rotowire
Johnson (elbow) is expected to toss a bullpen session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Johnson last pitched May 26 before landing on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation, retroactive to May 27. He's set to test out the elbow with mound work Tuesday, and a minimum-length stay on the injured list remains a possibility. Johnson could bypass a minor-league rehab assignment if Tuesday's throwing session goes well.
The Reds placed Johnson on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday, with right elbow inflammation.
Johnson's injury helps to explain why he hasn't pitched in a game since Tuesday. He received a cortisone shot in his right elbow Saturday, and with the MRI results coming back negative, Johnson expressed optimism about a minimum-length stint on the IL, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. Tony Santillan figures to handle a larger share of high-leverage opportunities while Johnson is out, and Lyon Richardson will come up from Triple-A Louisville to fill the void in Cincinnati's bullpen.
Johnson threw a scoreless seventh inning in Tuesday's win over the Phillies to pick up his fourth hold of the season. He struck out two while allowing a walk.
Meanwhile, the Reds turned to Sam Moll to pitch the eighth, and then Tony Santillan pitched a clean ninth inning to get the save. Johnson had given up a homer in his most recent outing Saturday, perhaps taking him out of consideration for this save chance. He now has a 3.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 19.1 innings for the season.
Johnson threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.
With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) expected to miss significant time and presumed replacement Tony Santillan struggling, the Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft in the eighth inning and then Johnson in the ninth. Johnson needed just 12 pitches to retire the heart of the Astros' order, and he now owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings with two holds and a save. While the Reds' closer situation is likely still unsettled, the 34-year-old certainly helped his case for future save chances with Saturday's performance.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Returns from bereavement list
Rotowire
The Reds activated Johnson from the bereavement list Wednesday.
Johnson is ready to rejoin the bullpen after being away from the club for a few days. The veteran reliever will move up in the Reds' bullpen hierarchy while Emilio Pagan (hamstring) is out and could see some high-leverage opportunities.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Lands on bereavement list
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The Reds placed Johnson (personal) on the bereavement list Sunday.
The 34-year-old will step away from the team for a few days for personal reasons. Johnson could rejoin the Reds toward the end of the upcoming road series versus the Cubs, which ends Thursday.
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Reds' Pierce Johnson: Struggles in relief
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Johnson went two-thirds of an inning allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one batter in an 8-3 loss to Detroit on Sunday.
Johnson entered the ballgame in the seventh inning, allowing a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson and an RBI triple to Kerry Carpenter, further cementing Detroit's lead. The 34-year-old has appeared in 14 of the 28 games this campaign, tied for the second-most appearances for Cincinnati. The right-hander had gone his last nine appearances (8.2 innings) since March 31 without allowing a run before Sunday.
Johnson agreed to a contract with the Reds on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The terms of the deal aren't clear, but Johnson is likely to receive less than the $7 million club option that was declined by Atlanta in November. Johnson recorded one save and 16 holds with a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 65 innings for Atlanta last year.
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