Los Angeles Dodgers Johnson was drafted by the
Los Angeles Dodgers in the 13th round of the
2005 Major League Baseball draft out of
St. Paul's School for Boys in
Brooklandville, Maryland. He pitched for the
Gulf Coast League Dodgers in 2005, going 0–2 with a 9.53 ERA in six games (three starts). He split 2006 between the
Ogden Raptors (14 starts) and
Jacksonville Suns (two relief appearances), going a combined 5–5 with a 3.67 ERA. In 2007, he went 3–6 with a 4.85 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) for the
Great Lakes Loons. Johnson split 2008 between the Loons (13 starts) and
Inland Empire 66ers (11 starts), going a combined 12–8 with a 4.32 ERA. He started the 2009 season in the Dodgers' organization, pitching for the 66ers (18 games, 16 starts) and
Chattanooga Lookouts (two starts).
Baltimore Orioles On July 30, 2009, Johnson was traded with minor leaguer
Josh Bell to the
Baltimore Orioles in exchange for
George Sherrill. He finished the season with the Double-A
Bowie Baysox. Overall, Johnson went a combined 12–7 with a 3.41 ERA in 27 games (25 starts). The
San Francisco Giants selected Johnson in the 2009
Rule 5 draft, but he was returned to the Orioles on March 16, 2010. Johnson had his contract purchased by the Orioles on June 3, 2012, but was immediately optioned to the Triple-A
Norfolk Tides. He was called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 1, for a series against the
Seattle Mariners, but did not play in the two games before he was optioned down again. Johnson finally made his major league debut on July 15, against the
Detroit Tigers in Baltimore. On August 8, he started and won his first game against the Mariners, 23 years to the day after his father recorded his first victory for the Orioles. On April 24, 2013, Johnson was sent to Triple-A Norfolk on a rehab assignment. He was brought up to the Orioles on May 11 to start against the
Minnesota Twins, and optioned back to Norfolk the next day. He was recalled on May 25 when
Pedro Strop was placed on the disabled list. Johnson elected free agency following the season on November 3. On January 27, 2015, Johnson re-signed with the Orioles organization on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. He was added back to the Orioles' roster on September 1. Johnson made six appearances for Baltimore, but struggled to a 10.14 ERA with three strikeouts across innings pitched. Johnson was
designated for assignment by the Orioles on December 2, following the acquisitions of
Mark Trumbo and
C. J. Riefenhauser. He was non-tendered and became a free agent the same day.
Seattle Mariners On January 29, 2016, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the
Texas Rangers, which included an invitation to spring training. He was released by Texas prior to the start of the season on March 14. On March 17, 2016, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the
Seattle Mariners organization. He had his contract selected to the major league roster on May 3, following an injury to
Tony Zych. In 16 appearances for Seattle, Johnson compiled a 1-0 record and 4.32 ERA with 17 strikeouts across innings pitched. Johnson was designated for assignment by the Mariners on June 17. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A
Tacoma Rainiers on June 19. Johnson elected free agency after the season on October 15.
Baltimore Orioles (second stint) On March 4, 2017, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the
Baltimore Orioles organization. Johnson made 19 appearances (including five starts) for the Triple-A
Norfolk Tides, registering a 1-2 record and 5.30 ERA with 39 strikeouts across innings pitched.
Chicago White Sox On August 9, 2017, the Orioles traded Johnson to the
Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. In 5 starts for the Triple–A
Charlotte Knights, Johnson struggled to an 8.44 ERA with 21 strikeouts in innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Lancaster Barnstormers On April 2, 2018, Johnson signed with the
Lancaster Barnstormers of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Johnson made 11 starts for the Barnstormers, accumulating a 3-5 record and 5.10 ERA with 46 strikeouts across innings pitched. He announced his retirement as an active player via social media on December 22. ==See also==