SAN FRANCISCO — Before the expensive shopping begins, the Giants added an intriguing but injury-prone right-hander. Josh Johnson, a former Marlins star, signed a minor league deal with the Giants, CSN Bay Area has confirmed.
Johnson, 32, hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2013 because of arm injuries. He had Tommy John surgery for a third time late in the 2015 season.
While the track record of recovering from a third reconstructive procedure is poor, Johnson has generally been an above-average starter when healthy. He finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year balloting in 2006 and fifth in the Cy Young voting in 2010, when he posted a 2.30 ERA for the Marlins. Johnson is a two-time All-Star, although he’ll enter spring training four years removed from his last moment on a big league mound.
Johnson posted a 6.20 ERA for the Blue Jays in 2013 and signed with the Padres that winter. The second Tommy John procedure cost him the 2014 season. Overall, he has a 3.40 ERA in 170 appearances.
The Giants are set in their rotation, but they have always put a priority on adding veteran depth in the offseason. Albert Suarez was a valuable addition last winter, eventually filling in as a starter and long reliever. Conor Gillaspie signed a minor league deal in February and ended up playing the part of postseason hero.
