Welcome to the club, Brian Johnson.
The Boston Red Sox left-hander joined the team’s walking wounded Thursday, landing on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder impingement. The Red Sox activated right-hander Austin Maddox from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Johnson’s place on the major league roster and transferred lefty pitcher Roenis Elias to the 60-day disabled list.
Johnson, serving as the fifth starter on Boston’s already thin pitching staff, made it through just 2 2/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night before exiting the game with left shoulder discomfort. He allowed three runs in the third inning before departing and will be reevaluated Friday, per manager John Farrell.
Johnson’s injury again leaves the Red Sox without a fifth starter, as Steven Wright is out for the season with a knee injury and Eduardo Rodriguez is expected to miss at least two more weeks with a knee ailment of his own.
Right-hander Hector Velazquez was solid in relief of Johnson on Wednesday and is the current top candidate to occupy the final slot in Boston’s rotation.
The Red Sox also announced Thursday that reliever Tyler Thornburg will undergo shoulder surgery, ending his 2017 season before it ever started. Boston acquired Thornburg over the offseason in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
