The Cincinnati Reds added relief pitcher Pierce Johnson on Sunday.
The Cincinnati Reds have officially added veteran right-hander Pierce Johnson to their bullpen, with contract details now coming to light. The 34-year-old has agreed to a deal that guarantees him $6.5 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The move continues Cincinnati’s offseason focus on strengthening its relief corps after a season in which pitching depth proved to be a major weakness.
Johnson’s journey to Cincinnati has been anything but straightforward. A first-round pick back in 2012, he debuted at the big-league level in 2017 but struggled to establish himself early.
In 2019, he headed overseas to pitch for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan, where he dominated with a 1.38 ERA across nearly 60 innings. That performance revitalized his career, and Johnson returned to MLB with the San Diego Padres in 2020, posting strong numbers over three seasons.
Injuries derailed much of his 2022 campaign, and a stint with the Colorado Rockies in 2023 saw him struggle with command. But a midseason trade to the Atlanta Braves changed his trajectory. With the Braves, Johnson rediscovered his form, posting a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances down the stretch and earning a two-year extension.
Though his peripherals dipped in 2024 and 2025, he remained a reliable arm, striking out nearly a quarter of the batters he faced. Atlanta ultimately declined his 2026 team option, paving the way for his move to Cincinnati.
For the Reds, Johnson represents both experience and upside. Manager Terry Francona now has another late-inning option to pair with closer Emilio Pagan and newly acquired left-hander Caleb Ferguson. Tony Santillan is also expected to play a key role, giving Cincinnati a bullpen mix that looks far more formidable than in recent years. Former starters Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips could slide into lower-leverage roles, adding further depth.
The rotation, led by Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott, already projects as one of the strongest in the National League. With Johnson in the fold, the Reds’ pitching staff appears well balanced heading into 2026. The bigger question remains the lineup, where Elly De La Cruz is emerging as a superstar but consistency from supporting bats has been elusive.
Still, the addition of Johnson underscores Cincinnati’s commitment to building a roster capable of returning to October again in 2026. His contract may not be massive, but his presence could prove invaluable as the Reds look to take the next step in their climb back to contention.