Johnson may get 1 more start in the minors

 

PHOENIX (AP) -Manager Bob Melvin will decide after a Monday bullpen session whether Randy Johnson is ready to join the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation or needs one more minor league rehabilitation start.
“Right now it’s literally 50-50,” Melvin said before the Diamondbacks’ game against Colorado on Saturday night.
Johnson, who underwent back surgery after last season, threw six innings for Triple-A Tucson against Colorado Springs on Friday night. He allowed two earned runs and eight hits, striking out three and walking one.
The 43-year-old five-time Cy Young award winner threw 85 pitches, 59 for strikes.
Another start in the minors “would get him on track for a normal amount of spring training innings. For a guy coming off back surgery, we’ll see.”
On the other hand, Melvin said, “If he feels that much better and feels like he’s ready to go, has a good bullpen session, feels great physically, we could consider” giving him a start for Arizona late next week.
Johnson, who also doubled and had a sacrifice bunt Friday night, said afterward he was “still searching for a few things.”
“I am looking for consistency and looking to go out there and throw all my pitches and be effective out there,” he said. “That is what every pitcher is looking for.”