Steve Johnson agrees to minor league deal with Orioles

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 04, 2017, 8:50am

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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Steve Johnson is coming back to the Orioles organization.

Johnson, 29, has agreed to terms on a minor league deal that doesn't include an invitation to spring training, according to an industry source. He's going to report to Twin Lakes Park after the Orioles receive the results of his physical, but he could join the group of pitchers who occasionally are summoned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

The Orioles acquired Johnson, the former St. Paul's standout, and third baseman Josh Bell from the Dodgers on July 30, 2009 for reliever George Sherrill. Johnson spent last summer with the Mariners, going 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in 16 games, and at Triple-A Tacoma before becoming a minor league free agent.

The Mariners designated Johnson for assignment on June 17, the same day that they placed future Oriole Wade Miley on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement. Johnson was outrighted to Tacoma and placed on the minor league disabled list in July with a sore shoulder.

Johnson posted a 0.79 ERA in 10 relief appearances in May over 11 1/3 innings. He walked seven batters, but also struck out 15. He was 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.909 WHIP in 22 relief innings at Tacoma and struck out 26 batters.

Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, is 6-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 43 major league games, including five starts.