Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Fri 6/9/23 5:35 PM

Rockies manager Bud Black announced Friday that Johnson has been removed from the closer role, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson officially lost the job after blowing another save in brutal fashion Thursday afternoon against the Giants. He owns a wretched 7.50 ERA in 26 appearances (24 innings) this season, although most of that damage has come at Coors Field -- his road ERA is 2.89. Black named Justin Lawrence and Jake Bird as possible candidates to replace Johnson in the ninth-inning gig.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Thu 6/8/23 6:52 PM

Rockies manager Bud Black said after Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Giants that Johnson's status as the primary closer will be "addressed," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson was called into Thursday's game with the Rockies leading 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning and promptly gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording only two outs. He's blown two saves in the last week and his season ERA has risen to 7.50. Justin Lawrence, Jake Bird, Brent Suter and Brad Hand are among the other options at closer for Colorado. Daniel Bard could maybe even get another shot.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Thu 6/1/23 7:55 PM

Johnson (0-2) blew the save and took the loss Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson had the Diamondbacks down to their final strike before surrendering a double to Ketel Marte, followed by Corbin Carroll's walk-off base hit. It's Johnson's first blown save of the year despite his 6.85 ERA and 1.88 WHIP through 22.1 innings. While the 32-year-old righty has struggled, Daniel Bard has pitched to a 0.57 ERA. Johnson's grip on the closing job may be slipping.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Sun 5/28/23 1:05 AM

Johnson pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 10-7 win over the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson melted down in a non-save situation in his last outing Thursday, but he responded well. He needed just six pitches (five strikes) to set down the Mets' 3-4-5 hitters. While pitching at Coors Field can lead to the occasional blow-up, Johnson has converted all 11 of his save chances this season. He's at a 6.23 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Thu 5/25/23 11:40 PM

Johnson allowed four earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two across 0.2 innings Thursday against the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with a four-run lead and served up a pair of two-run homers to blow the lead. He was ultimately bailed out by his offense in the bottom of the same frame, though the performance continued a shaky stretch for Johnson. Across his last 12 appearances, he's allowed at least one earned run on six occasions. On the other hand, he has tallied seven saves in that span and there is no sign that the Rockies are looking to move away from him as the closer at this point.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Wed 5/24/23 12:23 AM

Johnson gave up a run on two hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson gave up an RBI double to Jorge Soler, but he was able to protect the lead from there. While he doesn't have a dominant reputation, Johnson has converted all 10 of his save chances this season, including seven in his last nine appearances. He owns a 4.95 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB through 20 innings this season.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Mon 5/22/23 11:32 PM

Johnson allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson has converted six of his nine saves during May, though he's also allowed five runs over 8.2 innings this month. Monday marked his third straight scoreless outing. He has a 4.74 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB over 19 innings this season while working as the Rockies' primary closer.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Wed 5/17/23 9:36 PM

Johnson picked up the save Wednesday against the Reds, striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson relieved Riley Pint in the ninth inning, inheriting runners on second and third, coaxing a pop-out from Wil Myers before striking out Jose Barrero to end the game. Johnson is now 8-for-11 in save opportunities. He's managed to stave off Daniel Bard for the ninth-inning job despite a 5.29 ERA and 1.82 WHIP through 17 innings this season.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Tue 5/16/23 12:17 AM

Johnson allowed one run on two hits and a walk in one inning of work against the Reds on Monday. He earned a save but did not record a strikeout.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson entered a 9-7 game in the ninth inning and flirted with danger. He gave up a two-out RBI single to Nick Senzel before closing out the one-run game with a pair of runners on base. Johnson has now converted all seven of his save opportunities despite a 5.51 ERA through 16.1 innings.

Pierce Johnson
RP CIN
Wed 5/10/23 4:54 PM

Johnson picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Pirates. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning scoreless inning.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson worked around a walk and a two-out double to close out a one-run victory and earn his sixth save this season. The 32-year-old Johnson is now a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities despite a subpar 4.40 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. Johnson has been the Rockies' primary closer, while Daniel Bard works lower-leverage situations. Even if Johnson can hold off Bard in the ninth inning, it's hard to put extra faith in a reliever pitching in Coors Field for a last-place Rockies squad.