Pierce Johnson is back from Japan thanks to a new two-year contract signed with the San Diego Padres on Monday.
Johnson, 28, briefly appeared in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants during the 2017 and 2018 seasons posting a 5.44 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP across 44 2/3 innings of work.
Right-hander Pierce Johnson is in agreement with the San Diego Padres on a two-year, $5 million deal with a club option for a third year, sources tell ESPN. Johnson, 28, was absolutely dominant for the Hanshin Tigers in 2019 and returns to MLB a year later on a multiyear deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2019
Last year Johnson played with the Hanshin Tigers where he impressed the Padres enough to earn a two-year deal. In 58 2/3 innings of work in Japan, Johnson had a 1.38 ERA and a 91/13 K/BB ratio.
The Padres will add him to a bullpen as they look to turn to the competing stage of their rebuild.
