View source for Josh Johnson (pitcher)

{{short description|Canadian-American baseball player (born 1984)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name       = Josh Johnson
| image      = Josh Johnson on April 16, 2013.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption    = Johnson with the Blue Jays in 2013
| position   = [[Pitcher]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|1|31}}
| birth_place= [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], U.S.
| bats       = Left
| throws     = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate  = September 10
| debutyear  = 2005
| debutteam  = Florida Marlins
| finalleague = MLB
| finalteam  = Toronto Blue Jays
| finaldate  = August 6
| finalyear  = 2013
| statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value = 58–45
| stat2label = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value = 3.40
| stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value = 915
| teams      = 
* [[Miami Marlins|Florida / Miami Marlins]] ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2012}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2013}})
| awards      = 
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2009]], [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2010]])
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders|NL ERA leader]] (2010)
}}

'''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 [[Miami Marlins|Florida/Miami Marlins]] and [[Toronto Blue Jays]] from 2005 through 2013.

==Early career==
Johnson graduated from [[Jenks High School]] in [[Jenks, Oklahoma]] in 2002, when he was ''[[Tulsa World]]'' All-Metro Player of the Year.<ref>Greg Echlin, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?subjectid=225&articleid=20090714_225_B1_FoiaMr346116 "Johnson bounces back: Two years after surgery, Jenks graduate an All-Star"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', July 14, 2009.{{dead link|date=March 2014}}</ref> He helped lead the Trojans to two State Championships during his high school career.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} Johnson signed a letter of intent to play [[college baseball]] for the [[Oklahoma Sooners baseball|Oklahoma Sooners]], for whom his brother, Tyler, also played.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oklahoma Baseball Signs Seven During Early-Signing Period :: Five Oklahoma high school stars ink letters-of-intent with Sooners.|url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208791080|publisher=OU Athletics|access-date=December 11, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Johnson was drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the [[2002 MLB draft]]. The righty made his professional baseball debut soon after with the [[Gulf Coast Marlins]], earning a 0.60 [[earned run average]] (ERA) over 15 [[inning]]s.

As a starter with the Single-A [[Greensboro Grasshoppers]] during the {{Baseball year|2003}} season, Johnson continued to limit his opponents' offensive numbers, collecting a paltry .223 [[batting average against|opponent batting average]]. In {{Baseball year|2004}}, he saw more success with the Single-A [[Jupiter Hammerheads]]. Despite a 5–12 record, Johnson's ERA remained a solid 3.46.<ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Johnson Minor League Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=johnso010jos|access-date=March 12, 2019|language=en}}</ref>

Johnson's performance at the Single-A level earned Johnson a promotion to the Double-A [[Carolina Mudcats]] in {{Baseball year|2005}}. He was named the Marlins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2576626|title=Johnson flourishing in first season with Marlins|last=Rojas|first=Enrique|date=September 7, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=July 18, 2010}}</ref> after a 12–4 record, a 3.87 ERA and a [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]] All-Star nod for Carolina.

==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 [[Relief pitcher|relief]] against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. During the {{Baseball year|2006}} 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 Florida [[bullpen]], Johnson emerged as a major contributor in the Marlins' young, but surprisingly successful, starting staff. In 2006 Johnson and fellow Marlin pitchers [[Scott Olsen]], [[Aníbal Sánchez]] and [[Ricky Nolasco]] became the first quartet of rookie pitchers in major league history to each record 10 [[Win (baseball)|wins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686605&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla |title=Sanchez helps make more history |last=Frisaro |first=Joe |date=September 27, 2006 |work=MLB.com |access-date=July 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118090013/http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686605&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla |archive-date=November 18, 2007 }}</ref> He sat out the final three weeks of the season with forearm stiffness.<ref name="Johnson 2007 outlook">{{cite web|last=Hadorn|first=Chris|title=Josh Johnson, SP, Florida Marlins|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/marlins/2011-05-21-josh-johnson-shoulder_N.htm|publisher=KFFL.com|access-date=March 15, 2014|date=March 16, 2007}}</ref> His 3.10 overall ERA would have tied him for third in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]], but he fell five innings short of qualifying for the title.<ref name="Johnson 2007 outlook" />  Johnson also placed fourth in voting for the [[MLB Rookie of the Year Award|National League Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Padres add Johnson">{{cite news|last=Center|first=Bill|title=Padres add Josh Johnson to rotation|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Nov/19/padres-mlb-josh-johnson-signed/|access-date=March 15, 2014|newspaper=U-T San Diego|date=November 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140315215251/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Nov/19/padres-mlb-josh-johnson-signed/|archive-date=March 15, 2014}}</ref> an award that went to his fellow Florida teammate, [[shortstop]] [[Hanley Ramírez]].

Johnson began the {{Baseball year|2007}} season on the disabled list with an irritated ulnar nerve.<ref name="Johnson 2007 outlook" />  After returning in June, he was again sidelined by elbow stiffness in July and had [[Tommy John surgery|Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery]] on August 3, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2961441 |title=Marlins' Johnson undergoes Tommy John surgery, out through '08|agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 5, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]] |access-date=July 18, 2010}}</ref> He recovered surprisingly quickly and made his return to the Major Leagues on July 10, {{Baseball year|2008}}, only eleven months after having undergone surgery.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frisaro|first=Joe|title=One year later, Johnson looking forward|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090722&content_id=5993710&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 15, 2014|date=July 22, 2009}}</ref>  He made 14 starts in 2008, posting a 3.61 ERA.

[[File:4TH Josh Johnson.jpg|upright|thumb|Johnson running bases after hitting a home run for the [[2009 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins in 2009]]]]
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 [[2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Capozzi |first=Josh |title=Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson has no-hitter broken up in seventh inning |url=http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2009/08/14/josh-johnson-hasnt-allowed-a-hit-through-six-innings/ |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |access-date=March 15, 2014 |date=August 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316010308/http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2009/08/14/josh-johnson-hasnt-allowed-a-hit-through-six-innings/ |archive-date=March 16, 2014 }}</ref>  He finished 2009 with a 15-5 record and a 3.23 ERA with 191 strike-outs in 209 innings.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

On January 15, 2010, Johnson agreed to a four-year contract with the Marlins worth $39 million.<ref name="f354">{{cite web  | title=AP source: Johnson, Marlins reach $39M, 4-yr deal | website=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=2010-01-14 | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/01/14/ap-source-johnson-marlins-reach-39m-4-yr-deal/ | access-date=2025-01-31}}</ref>

On May 29, 2010, Johnson lost to the Phillies 1–0, as [[Roy Halladay]] threw [[Roy Halladay's perfect game|a perfect game]].

In July 2010, he was selected to his second consecutive [[2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]], which took place in [[Anaheim]]. Johnson pitched two perfect innings in the game, notably striking out [[Derek Jeter]] and [[Ichiro Suzuki]]. {{baseball year|2010}} was also a record-setting year for Johnson, who gave up three runs or less in twelve consecutive starts. On July 28, Johnson had [[games started|started]] 21 games, and in those starts, only allowed more than three [[earned run]]s once, giving up only one earned run eight times and no earned runs six times.

Johnson finished the 2010 season second in the Majors in [[Earned run average|ERA]] (2.30), leading the National League, trailing only [[Félix Hernández]] of [[Seattle Mariners|Seattle]]. He finished 11–6 with 186 [[strikeout]]s in 28 starts, his year shortened by back pain. He made his final start of the season on September 4 against [[Atlanta Braves|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 [[Kyle Lohse]] and the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] in the Marlin's first game in [[Marlins Park]]. Johnson finished his last season with Miami with an 8–14 record and an ERA of 3.81.

===Toronto Blue Jays (2013)===
On November 19, 2012, Johnson was traded to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] along with [[Mark Buehrle]], [[José Reyes (shortstop)|José Reyes]], [[John Buck (baseball)|John Buck]], and [[Emilio Bonifacio]], in exchange for [[Jeff Mathis]], [[Adeiny Hechavarria]], [[Henderson Álvarez]], [[Yunel Escobar]], [[Jake Marisnick]], [[Anthony DeSclafani]], and [[Justin Nicolino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=409853|title=MLB approves mega-deal between Blue Jays and Marlins|work=TSN.ca|date=November 19, 2012|access-date=November 19, 2012}}</ref> On February 5, 2013, manager [[John Gibbons]] named Johnson the number 4 starter for the upcoming season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130205&content_id=41426288&notebook_id=41426816&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor|title=Blue Jays set rotation around No. 1 Dickey|last=Toman|first=Chris|work=MLB.com|date=February 5, 2013|access-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=422215|title=Jays put Johnson on DL, recall Romero to start Friday|publisher=TSN.ca|date=May 2, 2013|access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/romero-back-with-jays-as-johnson-hits-dl/|title=Romero back with Jays as Johnson hits DL|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|date=May 2, 2013|access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref> He had one rehab start for the Class-A [[Dunedin Blue Jays]] before being moved to the Triple-A [[Buffalo 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|date=April 2015}}

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/31/blue-jays-will-activate-josh-johnson-on-tuesday/|title=Blue jays will activate Josh Johnson on Tuesday|last=Baer|first=Bill|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_04_tormlb_sfnmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=tor|title=Johnson bested despite strong return vs. Giants|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_23_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=tor|title=Blowout win puts Blue Jays firmly in AL East race|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=June 23, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=865623-blue-jays-josh-johnson-to-dl|title=Josh Johnson to DL|publisher=KFFL.com|date=August 13, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915170346/http://kffl.com/gnews.php?id=865623-blue-jays-josh-johnson-to-dl|archive-date=September 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 81{{frac|1|3}} innings. On October 1, 2013, Johnson underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The surgery was performed by [[Dr. James Andrews]] and required 5 weeks of recovery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-johnson-underwent-minor-elbow-surgery/|title=Blue Jays' Johnson undergoes elbow surgery|last=Davidi|first=Shi|publisher=[[Sportsnet]]|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref>

===San Diego Padres===
On November 19, 2013, Johnson agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with the [[San Diego Padres]]. If he made fewer than 7 starts with the team, they could have exercised a $4 million option for the 2015 season.<ref name="Padres add Johnson"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=437079|title=Padres and Johnson agree to one-year, $8 million contract|work=TSN.ca|date=November 20, 2013|access-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref> 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 see [[Dr. James Andrews]] for a consultation on his injured elbow, and could opt for his second Tommy John surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24528325/josh-johnson-to-see-dr-james-andrews-about-troublesome-elbow|title=Josh Johnson to see Dr. James Andrews about troublesome elbow|last=Axisa|first=Mike|work=cbssports.com|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref> The Padres reported on April 23 that Johnson would undergo Tommy John surgery, and miss the 2014 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24537240/josh-johnson-to-undergo-second-tommy-john-surgery|title=Josh Johnson to undergo second Tommy John surgery|last=Axisa|first=Mike|work=cbssports.com|date=April 23, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2014}}</ref> On October 30, the Padres declined Johnson's option, making him a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/10/padres-decline-josh-johnsons-option.html|title=Padres Decline Josh Johnson's Option|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=October 30, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> On January 7, 2015, he re-signed with the Padres on a one-year contract with $1 million guaranteed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://padres.mlblogs.com/2015/01/07/padres-sign-josh-johnson-to-one-year-contract/?adbid=552948359183335424&adbpl=tw&adbpr=37837907&partnerId=as_sd_20150107_38428867|title=Padres Sign Josh Johnson to One-Year Contract|work=Padres.com|date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/27/padres-johnson-pitches-sim-game-rehab/|title=Johnson throws sim game|last=Lin|first=Dennis|work=sandiegotribune.com|date=August 27, 2015|access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> On September 16, it was announced that Johnson would undergo a third Tommy John surgery, and miss the entire 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25304354/josh-johnson-aiming-for-comeback-to-have-third-tommy-john-surgery|title=Josh Johnson, aiming for comeback, to have third Tommy John surgery|last=Heyman|first=John|work=cbssports.com|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=September 16, 2015}}</ref>

===Retirement===
Attempting another comeback from Tommy John surgery, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the [[San Francisco Giants]] on November 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/giants-sign-josh-johnson-minors.html|title=Giants, Josh Johnson Agree To Minor League Deal|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 1, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016}}</ref> However, he announced his retirement on January 19, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/josh-johnson-to-retire.html|title=Josh Johnson To Retire|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 19, 2017|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Will the Blue Jays Re-sign Josh Johnson? |author=Scott Ferguson |url=https://www.tsn.ca/blogs/scott_ferguson/?id=419385 |publisher=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Johnson himself was born in Minneapolis a short time later in 1984.

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=435178 |espn=6435 |br=j/johnsjo09 |fangraphs=4567 |brm=johnso010jos}}

{{NL ERA champions}}
{{Miami Marlins Opening Day starting pitchers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Josh}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Canadian descent]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Florida Marlins players]]
[[Category:Miami Marlins players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League ERA champions]]
[[Category:People from Jenks, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Tulsa County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Marlins players]]
[[Category:Greensboro Bats players]]
[[Category:Jupiter Hammerheads players]]
[[Category:Carolina Mudcats players]]
[[Category:Greensboro Grasshoppers players]]
[[Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Tulsa, Oklahoma]]