Reds sign relief pitcher Pierce Johnson

Pierce Johnson (YouTube)

The Cincinnati Reds added to their bullpen on Sunday as they signed relief pitcher Pierce Johnson of Denver, Colorado. The terms of the deal are one year and $6.5 million according to Rogers Sportsnet. 

Johnson is joining his sixth Major League Baseball franchise. He was previously with the Chicago Cubs (2017), the San Francisco Giants (2018), the San Diego Padres (2020 to 2022), the Colorado Rockies (2023), and the Atlanta Braves (2023 to 2025).

In 2025 with the Braves, Johnson had a record of three wins and three losses with an earned run average of 3.05. In 65 games and 59 innings pitched, Johnson gave up 52 hits, 20 earned runs, eight home runs, and 19 walks, to go along with 59 strikeouts, one save, 16 holds, and a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.20.

Johnson’s save came in a 5-2 Braves win over the Washington Nationals on May 15. Johnson had 15 pitches of which 10 pitches were strikes. He pitched a shutout inning, and faced four batters, as he gave up a walk.

Johnson also pitched one season professionally in the country of Japan. He was with the Hanshin Tigers of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in 2019, and had a record of two wins and three losses with an excellent earned run average of 1.38, During that season, Johnson was an All-Star. In 58 games and 58 2/3 innings pitched, he gave up 34 hits, nine earned runs, two home runs, and 13 walks, to go along with 91 strikeouts and an amazing WHIP of 0.80. It came as zero surprise that Johnson only spent one season in Japan. The following season Johnson joined the Padres.