Jays' Johnson has elbow surgery
After a disappointing, injury-plagued season, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Josh Johnson underwent right elbow surgery Tuesday.
The arthroscopic procedure, performed by Dr. James Andrews, cleared out loose bodies and a bone spur, the Blue Jays announced in a press release. Johnson could resume throwing in five weeks, meaning he should be back at full strength for spring training, according to MLB.com.
The question is what uniform he will be wearing next spring. Johnson, 29, will be a free agent this winter, and the Blue Jays might not bring him back after he struggled in his lone season north of the border.
Johnson was a key piece in the Blue Jays' blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins last winter, arriving along with shortstop Jose Reyes and left-hander Mark Buehrle. After getting hit hard in four April starts, Johnson landed on the disabled list for six weeks due to triceps inflammation.
Johnson returned in early June and made another 12 starts before heading back to the disabled list in early August because of a right forearm strain. He never pitched again in 2013, finishing 2-8 with a 6.20 ERA.
The stats were a far cry from Johnson's production in eight seasons with the Marlins, when he went a combined 56-37 with a 3.15 ERA in 154 games (144 starts).
Johnson made $13.75 million this year. To retain him, the Blue Jays would need to make a qualifying offer of approximately $14 million, which might be more than the team is willing to spend for pitcher coming off a down year and elbow woes.
