Johnson (1-0) struck out the side in the eighth inning and earned the win in Boston's 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Seattle on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson gained some ticks on his fastball while throwing a clean eighth inning Friday and was credited with the win after Mitch Moreland put Boston ahead in the ninth. He's thrown an inning in each of Boston's two games thus far.

Johnson will start Sunday's spring game against the Rays in place of David Price (illness), Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Price unable to go Sunday, Johnson will take the ball for the fourth time this spring. Johnson will try to turn things around Sunday after allowing eight earned runs over 5.0 innings (14.40 ERA) over his first three outings.

Johnson (illness) has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Thursday's spring game against the Twins, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was sidelined a few days by his illness, but he is ready to get back on the bump. Barring any setbacks the rest of the way, he has a chance to make an early-season start for the Red Sox with the team playing 11 straight days to kick off the regular season, but it is expected that he will primarily be used as a reliever.

Johnson (illness) is playing catch Sunday and is scheduled for a bullpen session Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was scratched from Saturday's scheduled start against the Orioles but his quick return to throwing confirms the issue is minor. The 28-year-old could return to game action later in the week assuming a successful bullpen session.

Johnson (illness) was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson's preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be significantly impacted. The lefty filled a swingman role last season and is likely to do the same again this year.

Johnson is being stretched out during spring training and is a candidate to start the sixth game of the season against the Athletics on Apr. 2, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. The left-hander fired two innings as a starter in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

If Johnson does make the start during the first week of games, it is expected to be a one-time shot unless injuries hit. He was a good soldier for the Red Sox in 2018, working both as a starter and reliever, his first significant exposure to pitching in relief. Johnson posted a 4.19 ERA in 38.2 relief innings and acknowledged how difficult it was altering his routine after a career as a starter. "I think he learned over the course of the season that there's no time to settle down," manager Alex Cora said. "You have to pitch to the edges and try to be aggressive there. It's not like get-me-over fastballs or get-me-over breaking balls. They're ready to swing." With a good chunk of experience out of the pen last season, Johnson and the Red Sox are expecting better results in 2019.

Johnson will not make Boston's roster for the ALDS, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson only pitched 12 innings during the month of September, with a majority of those coming as a middle-relief option in the bullpen. Though manager Alex Cora has yet to completely set his roster for Friday's series opener against the Yankees or Athletics, he already told Johnson that he will not be one of the pitchers carried in this round of the postseason.

Johnson (4-5) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 11-6 to the Yankees, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over three innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw labored in his first start since Sept. 2, needing 66 pitches (38 strikes) to record only nine outs, and he kicked off a four-homer barrage by the Yankees when Gary Sanchez took him deep in the third inning. Johnson will be ticketed for the bullpen in the playoffs, but his 5.26 ERA in 39.1 innings since the beginning of August -- inflated by a 2.3 HR/9 -- doesn't suggest he'll have a significant role.

Johnson will make a spot start against the Yankees on Friday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following Johnson during the three-game set will be Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello. This will mark Johnson's first start since Sept. 2 when he only lasted 1.1 innings against the White Sox. On the year, he's logged a 4.11 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 85 strikeouts in 96.1 innings. During his latest relief appearance, he posted three scoreless frames versus Cleveland on Saturday.

Johnson allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Friday's 8-0 loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Hector Velazquez was the scheduled starter, but was scratched due to illness, so the Red Sox needed their bullpen arms. After the Mets chased Robby Scott with one out in the third inning, Johnson went to work, inducing a double-play grounder to get out of the inning. This was the longest relief stint of Johnson's career and in his last 14 games out of the bullpen, he has a 1.99 ERA.