LOS ANGELES – The Braves activated veteran reliever Jim Johnson from the 15-day disabled list Friday, just in time for him to face the Dodgers team that left him off its postseason roster last year.
Rookie right-hander Ryan Weber was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett to open a roster spot for Johnson, who pitched three scoreless innings in three minor league rehab appearances, allowing one run with no walks in each.
“He’s feeling really good and reports were good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “So, get him back out there and put him to work tonight.”
Johnson, 32, was 0-4 with a 7.90 ERA in 15 appearances for the Braves before going on the 15-day disabled list May 10 with a strained right groin. He had a 3.38 ERA and .184 opponents’ average in his first 11 outings, then gave up six hits (two homers) and eight earned runs in three innings during his final four appearances before the DL stint.
Right-handed hitters are 5-for-29 (.172) against him, but lefties have done a lot of damage against Johnson, batting .333 (8-for-24) with a .407 OBP and .542 slugging percentage.
A year ago, Johnson revived his career in his first season with the Braves by producing a 2.25 ERA in 49 appearances before being traded to the Dodgers on July 30 as part of the three-team, 13-player deal that brought Hector Olivera to the Braves.
Johnson had a 10.13 ERA in 23 games with Los Angeles and was left off the postseason roster, then designated for assignment in October and released.
After offseason hernia surgery that would sideline him for much of the winter, Johnson re-signed with the Braves for one year and $2.5 million.
