The San Diego Padres signed right-hander Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract on Monday following a strong season in Japan by the former Chicago Cubs prospect.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Monday that the deal is for $5 million. The team announced it also holds an option for the 2022 season.
Johnson was 2-3 with a 1.38 ERA and a 91-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 58 2/3 inning of relief last season with the Hanshin Tigers. He had 40 holds in 58 appearances.
The 28-year-old spent the 2018 season with the San Francisco Giants, going 3-2 with a 5.56 ERA in 37 relief appearances.
He was a first-round pick by Chicago in 2012 and made his big-league debut with one inning of relief for the Cubs in 2017.
