Johnson is expected to start the regular season in the rotation, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson's fate over the last three weeks has hinged on the health of Drew Pomeranz (forearm), Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee), all of whom are behind schedule. Rodriguez has a chance to be ready for the first week of the season, but it appears Johnson will make at least one start.

Johnson allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over four scoreless innings in Sunday's start against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson hasn't allowed a run in three of his four Grapefruit League starts, making manager Alex Cora more comfortable if he needs Johnson to be a temporary member of the rotation that opens the regular season. The left-hander, who was going to be used as a reliever, is starting while the Red Sox evaluate the progress of injured starters Steven Wright (knee), Drew Pomeranz (forearm) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee). All three could open the season on the disabled list, which would grant Johnson at least one start and possibly more. In an era where everyone's throwing hard, Johnson goes the other way. He throws in the low-90s and needs to change speeds and mix his pitches to be effective. When the rotation is back at full strength, Johnson will move to the bullpen.

Johnson seems to have the lead on the fifth starting rotation spot with both Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) unlikely to be ready to start the season, MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson is out of options, and his main competition for fill-in duty, Hector Velazquez, is off to a rocky start to spring training (10 hits, two strikeouts in 7.1 innings). The left-handed Johnson has turned in four scoreless frames to begin the spring with two strikeouts and no walks. He hasn't enjoyed much success at the big-league level to this point, and he won't offer much upside given his limited strikeout potential (6.9 K/9), but those in AL-only leagues looking to replace an injured pitcher could probably do worse.

Johnson's fastball hit 95-96 mph on the radar gun during his second spring start Saturday, Nick Friar of the New Bedford Standard Times reports. The left-hander allowed two hits over two scoreless innings against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson, who typically sits in the low-90s, couldn't explain the increased velocity, but speculated he's been focused on getting a good turn and driving with his backside. Whatever the cause, he's been impressive thus far, having thrown four scoreless innings over two starts. He's making a case for a spot on the 25-man roster. That could be in a bullpen role, or as a temporary fill-in fifth starter while Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) works his way back.

Johnson will start Sunday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed Johnson, who is out of minor league options, was expected to compete for a role in the bullpen, but could end up in the rotation to start the season. Manager Alex Cora told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) and Steven Wright (knee) are unlikely to open the season on the 25-man roster. That leaves a hole in the starting rotation. Cora cited Johnson along with right-hander Hector Velazquez and left-hander Roenis Elias as potential spot starters to begin the season, according to Boston Herald's Chad Jennings.

Johnson will be tried out as a reliever in 2018, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson split time between Triple-A Pawtucket and the Red Sox last season, compiling a 3.09 ERA in 17 starts for the PawSox and a 4.33 ERA in five starts for the big club. While he's worked solely as a starting pitcher through his first six seasons, the Red Sox -- who are in need of left-handed bullpen depth -- are set to try the 26-year-old southpaw out in a relief role. Johnson's expected to make the big club out of spring given he's out of options, so having him as a relief arm with the capability to spot start makes sense for a Red Sox team that is comfortable with their current starting rotation. At this point, it's unclear if the transition is a long-term move or simply for next season.

Johnson is slated to start Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket.

EDGE Analysis

A line drive caught Johnson in the leg during his Aug. 16 start, forcing him from the game after just one inning, but he returned to action five days later. He figures to make two more starts (including Saturday's) before rejoining the big club in September, but it's uncertain if Johnson will start at all for the first-place Red Sox over the season's final month. Johnson recently battled some shoulder fatigue and an assignment to the bullpen would be theoretically help preserve the shoulder.

Johnson was removed from Wednesday's minor-league game after being hit in the leg by a comebacker, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson hadn't allowed a hit before exiting the game after being pegged by a liner in the first inning. This is a tough break for Johnson, as the southpaw just recently rejoined Pawtucket's rotation after being shut down with shoulder fatigue. The severity of his injury isn't known at this point, but expect an update following the conclusion of Wednesday's contest.

Johnson has rejoined the rotation at Triple-A Pawtucket after being shut down with shoulder fatigue.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson has allowed two runs over two starts (nine innings) since returning from the shoulder issue that cost him one turn in the rotation. With David Price (elbow) sidelined, the left-handed Johnson is an option as a fifth starter if the Red Sox feel Doug Fister, who was hit hard in Monday's loss to Cleveland, isn't working out.

Triple-A Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said Johnson (shoulder) could be cleared to start for the club Saturday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson hasn't pitched for Pawtucket since July 23 due to left shoulder inflammation, but the worst of the injury appears to be behind. The southpaw threw a bullpen session Wednesday, and assuming he feels fine a day later, he'll likely be added back to Pawtucket's starting schedule. Over 11 starts at the Triple-A level this season, Johnson has submitted a 2.84 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 63.1 innings.