NEW YORK – Chris Johnson was out of the lineup again Friday for the series opener the Mets, which no longer came as a surprise to the Braves third baseman. He's become a platoon player at third base and plays only sporadically since the Braves see so few left-handers.
Johnson, who two years ago led the National League batting race for much of the season, had only 64 official at-bats in 25 games (16 starts) through 60 team games before Friday, including five starts – four at third base, one at first base — in 15 games since a nearly four-week stint on the disabled list.
He had 42 at-bats – and a .167 average – against right-handers, and those at-bats aren’t likely to increase much as long as Juan Uribe stays healthy. If the Braves face a lefty, Johnson is almost certain to be in the lineup. If they don’t, he’s unlikely to get in the game until a lefty reliever enters.
It’s a bit of an awkward situation, as it’s no secret the Braves have tried since last fall to trade Johnson, who was signed to a three-year, $23.5 million contract extension by the previous Braves general manager, Frank Wren, just over a year ago. That extension didn’t kick in until this season.
“I don’t know about my situation,” Johnson said. “I show up, and when I’m in there, I’m in there. When I’m not, I’m not, and I know if a lefty comes – I know my role – lefty comes in the game and there’s a spot where they need me to hit in the pitcher’s spot or anybody else, I’m on the alert.”
The Braves traded for the veteran Uribe on May 27, and he’s become the primary third baseman, since the Braves face right-handers at least five or six out of every seven games.
Johnson had only eight at-bats and two starts in the Braves’ past seven games before Friday, going 2-for-8 with a solo homer and three strikeouts. Since returning from the DL on May 27 – the same day Uribe joined the Braves – Johnson was 5-for-21 with two RBIs, no walks, eight strikeouts and one error.
If a contending team, particularly one with a good-sized payroll and money to spend, has a need for a hitter who can do some damage against lefties, there’s at least a decent change that Johnson could be traded before the July 31 trade deadline. He knows that, though he doesn’t talk about it publicly.
He hasn’t been a distraction whatsoever in the clubhouse, hasn’t complained about his role since it became apparent what that role would be.
As long as the Braves play him almost exclusively against lefties, there’s a good chance Johnson’s stats will remain attractive in a niche role. He was hitting a modest .266 overall with four doubles, a homer, a .314 OBP and .375 slugging percentage. But against lefties, Johnson was 10-for-22 (.455) with a .478 OBP and .636 slugging percentage.
If, say, Cole Hamels is traded to a contender in the West, another big-budget contender in that division might suddenly find Johnson quite an attractive and affordable option. In the meantime, Johnson has begun to get adjusted to his role. And he concedes it’s not been easy.
“Yeah, it’s hard to keep the timing,” he said. “It’s hard on both sides, too. When you’re out there on defense – you can take all the ground balls you want, but you get into game speed and it’s just different. It’s tough. It’s a grind. It’s like everybody at-bat is a pinch hit, even if you’re starting.
‘But I’m good (mentally). I’m fine. I’m over the frustration or getting mad about it. In my role I know what I’m here to do. If I can help out that’s what I’m going to do. I know I can hit lefties real well. Until something changes, that’ll be my role.”
