Johnson left Triple-A Pawtucket's game Saturday after taking a line drive off the head, Mike Monaco of Pawtucket's official site reports. The left-hander was able to leave the field under his own power.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was having a pretty good night up until that point, having struck out seven over four innings of one-run ball.

Johnson was optioned to the Red Sox's minor-league camp Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though David Price's (elbow) injury likely creates an opening in the rotation to begin the season, it's expected that Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz, who were competing for the fifth starter's role, will simply both be included in the rotation now. That left Johnson on the outside looking in, and the 26-year-old's underwhelming spring training performance made it easy decision for the Red Sox to send him back to minor-league camp. He's expected to open the campaign with Triple-A Pawtucket, with whom he compiled a 4.09 ERA (4.73 FIP) in 77 innings a season ago.

Johnson allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Monday's game against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was not pleased with his effort Monday, surrendering a two-run homer and walking three batters after getting ahead 1-and-2 in the count. He was particularly focused on the inconsistent command of his fastball.

Johnson didn't give up a hit while striking out three and walking one in two scoreless innings Thursday against Northeastern University.

EDGE Analysis

We're not reading too much into a scoreless outing against a college team, but Johnson was nonetheless pleased with how the ball came out of his hand. If he can get back to form he showed two spring trainings ago, prior to an elbow injury and anxiety issues took him off schedule, Johnson should find his way to Boston at some point this season.

Johnson will start against Northeastern University on Thursday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox traditionally kick off game action during spring training against a Boston-area college and this year it's the Huskies of NU. It's not typically an important assignment, but for Johnson it is. The left-hander was on the cusp of the major leagues coming out of 2015 spring training, but an elbow injury, a toe injury and then two months away from the game to deal with an anxiety issues derailed his arrival. He finished last season, pitching well at Triple-A Pawtucket and will return there to start 2017. He's viewed as a depth starter, but is one of four guys considered as such.

Johnson threw his sixth bullpen session of the spring Wednesday and said his "arm feels great," a marked difference from last spring, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports,

EDGE Analysis

Johnson's healthy offseason is a pleasant change relative to last offseason when elbow discomfort and nerve irritation that sabotaged a promising 2015 season compromised his ability to build arm strength. The diminished stuff, coupled with a toe injury, had shaken the left-hander's confidence, which morphed into an anxiety episode that required Johnson to leave the organization for two months last summer. While he was able to return and pitched effectively, the stop-and-start nature of his season impacted his fastball velocity and the bite of his curve. He's now back on a normal schedule and will be on the short list of names if the Red Sox need to reach down to Triple-A for an emergency or fill-in starter.

Johnson said he no longer feels anxiety and his elbow feels fine as he starts his offseason preparation for the 2017 season, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson had a challenging season in 2016. A spring toe injury put a crimp in his schedule followed by an uncharacteristic bout of wildness, leading to him walking away from the game to treat an anxiety disorder. He pitched well upon return, posting a 3.07 ERA over his final seven starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, putting himself back on the radar for 2017. While Boston's rotation is well-stocked with pitchers who won't begin the season at Triple-A, Johnson has moved ahead of Henry Owens and Roenis Elias at Pawtucket. If the Red Sox deal one of their surplus starters or move one to the bullpen, Johnson's chances of pitching in Boston become more realistic.

Johnson allowed seven runs on eights hits, including three homers, in a loss for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

A rough outing for Johnson, who had been on a roll entering Saturday's game, having allowed the six earned runs over his previous five starts spanning 30.2 innings. The good stretch of pitching has featured the pinpoint control that characterized the left-hander's rise through the system. Given his two-month layoff to address anxiety issues, Johnson still has a lot of innings left in his arm. The Red Sox will likely call him up when rosters expand in September.

Johnson has made it into the sixth inning in three straight starts, posting a 1.96 ERA with 13 strikeouts and four walks in 18.1 innings for Triple-A Pawtucket.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson, who took some time off earlier this year to treat anxiety issues, looks like the strike-thrower he was before the 2016 season. He's not overpowering, but when on, the left-hander has impeccable command and changes his speeds to keep hitters off balance.

Johnson allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

In two straight quality starts, Johnson has worked 12 innings and given up just one earned run on seven hits and three walks while striking out 11. If the left-hander continues in this vein, Johnson will become an option should the Red Sox need a starter down the stretch.