Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson will be relied on even more in 2025 with Joe Jimenez (knee) expected to miss most of the season after having knee surgery last October. Johnson split primary setup duties in Atlanta's bullpen last year with Jimenez, but he should be the primary late-inning setup man in front of closer Raisel Iglesias now. The 33-year-old has a mid-90s fastball but leans heavily on his curveball -- 72 percent of his offerings in 2024 were curves, the highest rate in baseball among pitchers with 10 or more outings. The former first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs went 6-6 last year in his first full season with Atlanta, posting a 3.67 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, two saves, 67 strikeouts and 25 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched. Johnson's stock will rise in deep holds leagues.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Pierce Johnson (elbow) is expected to be activated off the 15-day Injured List on Saturday. Johnson had been dealing with elbow inflammation and was placed on the 15-day IL on May 4th. The 33-year-old threw a bullpen session on Wednesday that went well and the Braves will be ecstatic to have him back. Johnson had been performing at his dominant norms, showing off a 32.0% K% and a 1.25 WHIP, before dealing with elbow inflammation. The Braves have a stretch of 17 games over 17 games so Atlanta will need the bullpen arms to get through that stretch. Fantasy managers should be ready to have Johnson active in their lineups. If he happens to be available on the waiver wire then fantasy managers should snatch him up immediately.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Pierce Johnson notched his first save of the season on Sunday in a 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Johnson threw a scoreless ninth, allowing just a hit. Usual closer Raisel Iglesias wasn't available in this one after pitching the previous two days, so Johnson was used to fill in. The 32-year-old appears to be second in line for save chances in Atlanta and should get his fair share of holds as well, making him a good player to have in saves-plus-holds leagues.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Pierce Johnson agreed to stay put for the next two seasons, agreeing to a contract Wednesday. The contract is worth $14.25 million for 2024 and 2025, with a $7 million club option for 2026, that includes a $250,000 buyout. Johnson started 2023 with the Colorado Rockies but was traded to Atlanta and became one of their most important bullpen pieces during their playoff run. A 6.00 ERA in Denver and 4.54 FIP were uninspiring, but the 32-year-old pitched to the tune of a 0.76 ERA for the Braves, striking out 32 of the 89 batters he faced.
The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran relief pitcher Pierce Johnson from the Colorado Rockies on Monday in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. Johnson has struck out 58 hitters in 39 relief innings this year in Colorado, but he's also a poor 1-5 record, 6.00 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.85 WHIP and 25 walks. The 32-year-old can definitely rack up the strikeouts, but that's about all he'll give fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Johnson had his first 13 saves for the Rockies this year as well, but you won't be able to count on anymore saves the rest of the way now that he's in Atlanta. Raisel Iglesias is firmly entrenched as the Braves' current closer.
Colorado Rockies reliever Pierce Johnson grabbed the save on Tuesday when his team beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 in 10 innings. He came into the game with one out in the 10th and retired the only two batters he faced while striking out one. Johnson's had a rough campaign thus far, posting a 6.92 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 18 walks across 26 innings of work. The right-hander now has 12 saves on the season, but manager Bud Black announced a few days ago that he was no longer the closer. Fantasy managers can drop Johnson in all leagues and pick up Justin Lawrence or Daniel Bard, who will likely share save opportunities going forward.
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Pierce Johnson has been officially removed from the closer role, according to manager Bud Black. The right-hander has been struggling lately, so it's not surprising that the Rockies have decided to make a change. This season, Johnson holds a 7.50 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, with 33/17 K/BB ratio across 24 innings of work. During this time, right-hander Justin Lawrence has basically taken over the closer role in Colorado. However, Black didn't name Lawrence the closer, but said him and Jake Bird would be in the mix for saves. Fantasy managers should wait and see how this situation shakes out.
Colorado Rockies reliever Pierce Johnson (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 2/3 of an inning during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was tagged with the loss and charged with his first blown save of the season. The 32-year-old surrendered a double to Ketel Marte and allowed a walk-off base hit to Corbin Carroll. Johnson owns a 6.85 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts over 22 1/3 innings. Johnson has struggled recently and could be losing his grip on Colorado's closer gig. The Rockies could turn to Daniel Bard or Brad Hand for future save opportunities if Johnson continues to struggle.
Pierce Johnson Blows Four-Run Lead Against Marlins
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Pierce Johnson got lit up on Thursday, allowing four earned against the Miami Marlins. Johnson came into the game in the ninth and allowed four hits and a walk before being mercifully removed after recording only two outs. Technically this wasn't a blown save as it wasn't a save opportunity when he was called upon, but that might just make it worse. Johnson has been awful for most of the season, with a disastrous 6.53 ERA and 1.89 WHIP, but he somehow hasn't blown a save yet. Still, it seems like the Rockies could do better, especially with former closer Daniel Bard pitching to a 0.69 ERA. Be on the lookout for a change soon if Johnson's performance doesn't improve.
Pierce Johnson Up To Eight Saves After Wednesday's Game
Colorado Rockies reliever Pierce Johnson earned his eighth save of the season when he closed out Wednesday's 11-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He came into the game with one out in the ninth inning and three men on base, but the 32-year-old didn't allow a run to score while striking out a batter. Johnson owns a 5.29 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 29.6% strikeout rate, and 14.8% walk rate over 17 innings but remains the closer in Colorado, even with 2022 closer Daniel Bard out pitching the former with a 0.96 ERA. The former San Diego Padre should be rostered in all formats, but if he eventually loses the ninth-inning role, he has almost no value.
Pierce Johnson
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Braves
