Daniel

Johnson

Johnson appeared in one game and had only one at-bat for the Orioles in 2024. He previously appeared in the majors with Cleveland in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Johnson hit .259/.320/.448 in 500 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk in 2024. He’s already playing in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. Johnson will likely sign a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training this winter.

Johnson spent just one day with the Orioles, going 0-for-1 against the Tigers in his first major league action since 2021.

Johnson is outfield depth for the Orioles. Cedric Mullins missed Friday’s game against the Tigers with neck discomfort after colliding with Austin Slater in the outfield. Coby Mayo was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Johnson on the active roster. The Orioles already had space on the 40-man roster.

At least Castillo doesn’t have to pack up and head to another organization this time after stints with five different teams during the offseason. Charles is probably the most notable inclusion in the latest batch of cuts as he seemed like a decent bet to stick in the Orioles’ bullpen.

The 28-year-old Johnson was once a fine prospect and logged major league time with Cleveland in 2020 and ’21, but after spending most of last year in Double-A with the Padres, he’s not much of a candidate to make the Orioles this spring. Sam Hilliard is the favorite to serve as the team’s fourth outfielder, and Jorge Mateo also figures to log some outfield time in addition to his infield duties.

No spring training invitation was announced. Johnson, 28, looked like a solid prospect a few years back, and he got 94 plate appearances for Cleveland in 2020 and ’21, hitting .202/.245/.337. However, he struggled mightily in the minors in 2022, and while he did wind up with 19 homers and 30 steals in the Padres’ system last year, most of them came in Double-A. He’ll battle for a spot on the Orioles’ Triple-A roster.

Johnson was a notable prospect for the Guardians a few years ago, but never quite got an opportunity at the highest level. The 27-year-old outfielder got into 30 games for Cleveland during the 2021 campaign and holds a lackluster .202/.245/.337 batting line with four homers and one steal in 94 plate appearances in the majors. He spent last season with the Mets and Nationals at the Triple-A level.

Johnson came up with the Nationals before being sent to Cleveland in the Yan Gomes trade in 2018. He’s since made a pit stop in the Mets organization before recently being released. Johnson will report to Triple-A Rochester for the time being.

Johnson will report to Triple-A Syracuse. The 26-year-old was hitting just .217/.217/.377 with three homers, 11 RBI and a troublesome 24/0 K/BB ratio in 69 plate appearances at Triple-A Columbus. He’ll add minor league outfield depth for the Mets.

Johnson is the most prominent inclusion among the latest cuts from Guardians’ major-league camp this spring. The 26-year-old outfielder has appeared in 35 games over the last two seasons at the big-league level. Gibaut and Jewell figure to receive a call-up at some point to bolster the Guardians’ bullpen.