Seth

Johnson

Not to be confused with Tyler Phillips. Gilbert might only be up until the Phillies again need a fifth starter. He made one appearance for the club last month, allowing one run in two innings.

Johnson struggled in his MLB debut on Sunday, allowing nine runs on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings against the Marlins. That’s a far cry from the 2.33 ERA and 83:42 K:BB ratio he posted over his 23 appearances in the minors this season, but the 25-year-old will likely remain in the minors for the rest of the year and hope for another chance in 2025. Tyler Gilbert was called up in a corresponding move.

Johnson’s major league debut was one to forget. Connor Norby took him deep in the first inning and the onslaught had commenced. All in all, he allowed seven hard-hit balls and didn’t strike out a batter in his very short day of work. It’s unlikely he gets another turn in the Phillies’ rotation, but if he does it will come next weekend against the Mets.

Johnson gets the promotion to make the start Sunday against Miami. The right-hander has posted a 2.33 ERA in 83/42 K/BB over his 23 appearances. His control has been an issue and he may not be able to get deep in games, but this is certainly a friendly first matchup for an MLB debut.

Johnson was acquired from the Orioles for Gregory Soto at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old was a long shot to get to this point. He was a junior college shortstop and the 40th overall pick in the 2019 draft but transitioned to the mound. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, so he only made 37 starts in pro ball before this season. However, 2024 has been a bit of a breakout for him. In 65 innings in Triple-A for the Orioles, he posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 61/35 K:BB ratio. In 16 innings for the Phillies’ Triple-A squad, he has allowed just one run on five hits while striking out 13 and walking six. Obviously, the walks will need to come down for him at the next level, but his team context could make him a decent deep-league streamer against a poor offense.

The 25-year-old right-hander had a 2.63 ERA in 65 innings over 18 starts at Double-A. He was the No. 8 prospect in the Orioles’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline, and posses a four-pitch mix.

It’s a nice addition for the Orioles as Soto provides them with an additional high-leverage option with closing experience, which might come in handy with Craig Kimbrel scuffling of late.

No real surprises here for Baltimore, but the name that stands out is Guzmán, who has reportedly been touching the upper-90’s this spring in bullpen sessions as he continues his transition to a full-time pitcher.

Johnson is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and will open the regular season at Triple-A Norfolk. The 24-year-old righty has a chance to make an impact for the Orioles sometime later this year.

Johnson, who underwent Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery back in August, hopes to start pitching in minor league rehab games next August. The 24-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline, just two days before undergoing surgery, and posted a strong 3.00 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 41/11 K/BB ratio across 27 innings (seven starts) last year for High-A Bowling Green prior to injury.