DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have been seeking reliable bullpen options all season. Jim Johnson was looking to revive his career after a disastrous stint in Oakland.
The two parties converged this weekend when Johnson had his contract purchased from Triple-A Toledo. The veteran right-hander will initially be used in a sixth- and seventh-inning role.
“His velocity was really good the whole time, even when he was in Oakland and he scuffled,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “It was more about location. It wasn’t so much about his stuff, so a lot of times a change of scenery helps.”
It didn’t work out that way in his Tigers’ debut Sunday. Johnson gave up a double to the first batter he faced, Seattle shortstop Chris Taylor, and went on to allow three runs, though two were unearned. Left fielder Rajai Davis dropped a short fly ball that could have ended the inning.
“I know he gave up a run there but he didn’t get much help on that pop fly,” Ausmus said. “Overall, I thought it was a good first outing.”
Johnson, who saved 101 games for Baltimore the last two seasons, got off to a woeful start with the A’s after signing a one-year, $10 million contract and never recovered. He allowed seven runs in his first five appearances and was removed from the closer’s role. He continued to struggle with his command and after he allowed 12 runs in a four-game stretch in July, Oakland ate his contract and released him.
The Tigers snapped him up and sent Johnson to Toledo to smooth out his mechanics. Johnson allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings with the Mud Hens, including a two-inning scoreless stint on Wednesday. He tossed another inning on Friday, allowing one earned run, before he was recalled.
“The last outing I threw down there I felt very similar to how I felt in Baltimore last year and the year before,” Johnson said. “The first couple of outings, I had a little rust but each time out things got better and better. I feel I’m exactly where I need to be to help the ballclub here.”
Johnson felt that he never got a chance to work out his issues in Oakland because of spotty usage. His sinker showed more bite during his trip to the minors.
“Pitching is such a timing and rhythm thing,” he said. “It’s just getting that constant work and just being able to get that little rhythm back. So, I feel good where I’m at. I’m excited to help them out. With the way things went in the first part of the season for me, this is going to be a lot more fun.”
Johnson is just the latest veteran the Tigers have acquired to fortify their shaky bullpen. They won a bidding war for former Pittsburgh and Boston closer Joel Hanrahan but Hanrahan was slow to recover from Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch this season. They also traded for Texas closer Joakim Soria, who suffered an oblique strain during their last road trip and was placed on the disabled list.
“He’s obviously pitched in high-pressure situations before,” Ausmus said. “In theory, we have four guys, including Joba (Chamberlain), that have pitched at the back end of the bullpen.”