Lefty Brian Johnson is trying to get himself into the picture for the Red Sox after a disappointing 2019 season, followed by a winter in which the team removed him from their 40-man roster.
Johnson tossed three innings in Sunday's scrimmage and acknowledged being outrighted was a surprise and served to provide him with incentive.
"I'd be lying if I said no,'' said Johnson. "It kind of gives you that chip on the shoulder, kind of a little bit of extra motivation, stuff like that. I don't think there's ever a time when you're in the majors to get complacent. But I think having that happen really kind of lit a fire and showed that I needed to prove something.''
Johnson was a big contributor in 2018, but saw his performance decline in 2019 (6.02 ERA in 21 appearances) sandwiched around a couple of lengthy IL stays.
"(The) 2018 (season) was a great year, '19 wasn't so much,'' Johnson said. "I got hurt in the second series of the year and then I had other stuff happen (gastrointestinal issues) during the year where I had to miss some time. So basing it off 2019, that wasn't really me at times because I was coming off (the IL) twice. I get it -- my numbers weren't good in 2019. So I get why someone would be get taken off the roster, but I wasn't expecting it, no.''
Manager Ron Roenicke said Johnson is a candidate for the fourth spot in the rotation, one that's become available with the absence of Eduardo Rodriguez.
"Hopefully he continues and we build him up and see where we are at the end,'' said Roenicke.
Johnson and pitching coach Dave Bush are working on "little things, little tics. I know if I do (a certain thing), it leaves me in a better position to make a better pitch. So, whether it's lead arm or making your arm a little shorter, mixing in your changeup more to have something go to the outside part of the plate instead of coming in on righties. ... It's trying to make something that works for me and knowing when to mix it up and go with that.''
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