Field Level Media
16 Jan 2026, 07:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images)
Veteran right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson made it official on Thursday, signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
Johnson, one of the top setup men on the free-agent market after compiling a 3-3 record and 3.05 ERA last season for the Atlanta Braves, credited Reds closer and close friend Emilio Pagan with sealing the deal.
'After Cincinnati ended up re-signing him, he was like, 'You're coming here. We're getting it done,' ' Johnson said. 'When you have your best friend selling you on something, it's easy to buy in.'
Johnson (May 10) and Pagan (May 7) were born three days apart in 1991. They were teammates with the San Diego Padres in 2020-21.
Johnson has been durable over the past three years, appearing in 190 games. He does have closing experience, having earned 13 saves with Colorado in 2023 before being traded to Atlanta.
The 34-year old recorded a personal-best 16 holds in 2025. He fanned 59 in 59.0 innings while walking 19.
In eight career MLB seasons, Johnson owns a 21-24 record with a 3.79 ERA in 330 appearances (two starts) for the Chicago Cubs (2017), San Francisco Giants (2018), San Diego Padres (2020-22), Colorado Rockies (2023) and Braves (2024-25). He also pitched in Japan during the 2019 season.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Denver Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Denver Sun.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: Elon Musk's X is now under scrutiny in the United Kingdom, with the media regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom),...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: A rare copy of the first Superman comic book, which was also once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has sharply intensified his standoff with the Federal Reserve, with the Justice Department...
HELSINKI, Finland: The severe cold forced cancelations of flights at Kittilä airport, leaving thousands of tourists in northern Finland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Norwegian Nobel Institute has dashed any hope that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado would give...
MOUNT ETNA, Italy: Guides in Sicily's Mount Etna are upset with the local authorities over tougher restrictions imposed by them after...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump's decision on global tariffs received an unexpected breather when the U.S. Supreme Court postponed...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Switch-hitting utility player Willi Castro will join the Colorado Rockies after coming...
(Photo credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images) Veteran right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson made it official on Thursday, signing a...
(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images) The Colorado Avalanche had their 17-game home winning streak snapped Monday, which...
(Photo credit: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Jimmy Smith, Tyrone Poole and Nick Collins, who went...
(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) The Colorado Rockies signed well-traveled right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year...
