Johnson was informed Friday that he has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Johnson has been making a strong case to not only make the big-league roster but also be part of the Halos' rotation. While he'll be part of the roster, his exact role remains uncertain. He and Jack Kochanowicz, who will also make the Opening Day roster, had seemingly been competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, and that path could be clear with Alek Manoah struggling this spring and Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) battling injury.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Great in latest bid for rotation
Rotowire
Johnson allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a Grapefruit League start against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Johnson got through four scoreless frames before the Brewers tagged him for a run on a walk, a wild pitch and a single in the fifth. Overall, Johnson threw 49 of 73 pitches for strikes and topped out at 95.7 mph on his fastball. The 2024 second-round draft pick has put together a nice spring, posting a 3.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 16.2 innings spanning five appearances (including two starts). With Alek Manoah struggling mightily to the tune of a 9.39 ERA and 2.41 WHIP this spring, Johnson has a chance to claim a spot in the Angels' Opening Day rotation should Manoah fail to break camp with the big club. In that scenario, Jack Kochanowicz -- who has also had a good spring -- appears to be Johnson's biggest competition for the role. Speaking of the two hurlers Wednesday, coach Kurt Suzuki said, "We've we got good problems. We've got to make tough decisions. Those two guys have been pitching unbelievable this whole spring. Kudos to them," per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Not ruled out for rotation bid
Rotowire
Johnson is in the conversation for a starting spot in the Angels' rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
With Alek Manoah and (to a lesser extent) Grayson Rodriguez struggling this spring, there is some uncertainty at the back end of the Angels' rotation. Should Manoah and/or Rodriguez not be part of the Opening Day starting staff, Johnson is one of several pitchers (including Jack Kochanowicz, George Klassen and Mitch Farris) who could be considered for a rotation role. Johnson got a look in the majors last season and struggled with a 7.36 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 14.2 innings across 14 relief appearances, and he ended the campaign in High-A ball. However, he's one of the organization's top prospects and has pitched pretty well this spring, posting a 4.63 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Johnson is still probably a longshot to break camp with the big club, but it's worth noting that he's still in big-league camp with Opening Day just 10 days away.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Sent down to High-A
Rotowire
The Angels optioned Johnson to High-A Tri-City on Friday.
The decision to let Johnson pitch in the majors before playing in a minor-league game hasn't quite turned out the way the Angels had hoped, as the 22-year-old righty owns a miserable 7.36 ERA and 1.98 WHIP through 14.2 innings. He'll now look to hone his craft in the lower levels of the Angels' farm system and could potentially be stretched out as a starter. Shaun Anderson was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the void in Los Angeles' bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Back from paternity leave
Rotowire
The Angels activated Johnson (personal) from the paternity list Monday.
Johnson was away for the weekend series against the Guardians, but he will rejoin the bullpen ahead of the Angels' series against the Rays that begins Tuesday. Michael Darrell-Hicks was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Placed on paternity list
Rotowire
The Angels placed Johnson on the paternity list Friday.
Johnson will be allowed to miss up to three games while he welcomes a new addition to his family. Caden Dana will come up from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the open spot in Los Angeles' bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Collects first career save
Rotowire
Johnson earned the save in Monday's 5-4 win in extras at St. Louis, allowing an unearned run on one hit. He struck out one.
The 22-year-old rookie was called upon in the 10th inning to secure the victory and accomplished the task on 20 pitches, 13 of which were strikes. Johnson, the 74th overall pick in the 2024, allowed the automatic runner to score via a sacrifice fly but otherwise looked the part of a high-leverage reliever in this outing. However, save chances will likely be rare for Johnson as the Angels' usual closer, Kenley Jansen, pitched in back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday and was given a breather.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Officially added to roster
Rotowire
The Angels selected Johnson's contract Tuesday.
Now that Johnson has officially been added to the Angels' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, he'll become the first player since Garrett Crochet in 2020 to reach the majors without appearing in a minor-league game. Johnson, 22, is likely to work in middle relief while he familiarizes himself with MLB hitters, but his 10:1 K:BB in 11.1 Cactus League innings is evidence that he has the tools to appear in high-leverage situations down the line. Jose Quijada was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Angels' Ryan Johnson: Skips minors, makes roster
Rotowire
Johnson has secured a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson was the 74th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft and will bypass the minor leagues as he slots into the Los Angeles bullpen. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed five runs with a 10:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings during Cactus League play. Johnson will probably be eased into high-leverage situations, but he certainly has the talent to eventually become a late-inning reliever. The last player to make his major-league debut without having appeared in the minors first was Garrett Crochet.
