Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Josh Johnson yielded two runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Phillies on Sunday. He struck out four, walked three, and gave up seven hits. Johnson pitched himself out of jams in the first and third, and was then bailed out by reliever Renyel Pinto with runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh. Johnson still didn’t factor into the decision, but it was an encouraging outing. He’s a risky play while just returning from Tommy John surgery, but the upside is there and he could well be worth using down the stretch run in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld)

Marlins SP Andrew Miller will be placed on the disabled list and will miss his scheduled start Sunday against the Phillies. That will cause the Marlins to shift their rotation and Josh Johnson will move from his scheduled Monday start to make the start on Sunday. That means that Johnson no longer is a two-start pitcher in Fantasy week 17 (July 21-27). Johnson is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery in less than a year, which is a rare achievement. He looked good in his first start, but he’ll need to prove his durability before he deserves attention in the majority of mixed formats. Consider him more of an NL-only guy right now, but he certainly has the stuff to be a consistent contributor in all formats. (CBS Sports)

Marlins SP Josh Johnson will get the second start of the 2008 season when Florida take on the Braves on Monday. Johnson, who allowed three runs over five innings in his opening start, will also get a second start in Fantasy Week 17 (July 21-27) when he takes on the Cubs at Wrigley on July 26. Johnson is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery in less than a year, which is a rare achievement. He looked good in his first start, but he’ll need to prove his durability before he deserves attention in the majority of mixed formats. Consider him more of an NL-only guy right now, but he certainly has the stuff to be a consistent contributor in all formats. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisition:

• P Jaime Garcia, Cardinals [$7 bid - add to actives]

Up:

• P Josh Johnson

Down:

• P Jason Bergmann
• P Jason Marquis

Cut:

• P Thomas Hanson

Notes:

• Due to the All-Star break, the FAAB acquisition run occured Monday night, while activations must be in by 6:35pm Thursday.
• Due to the short week, neither Bergmann or Marquis (above) will be starting in this Week 16.
• Shoeless Jews acquired former 2008 Roadrunner Emilio Bonifacio for $0 FAAB, and released P Taylor Tankersley.

Josh Johnson allowed three runs in five innings in his return to the Marlins on Friday night. Johnson gave up six hits, but he struck out six batters without issuing a single walk. All three runs scored off him with two outs in the third inning, and two of the runners only reached scoring position by stealing second base. While Johnson typically threw a fastball in the low nineties before Tommy John surgery, he regularly worked in the mid-nineties on Thursday night, something that’s somewhat common after undergoing the procedure. Still, the best course of action with Johnson is probably to stash him until he shows he can pitch well consistently. (Rotoworld)

Marlins beat writer Juan C. Gonzalez of the Sun-Sentinel was tracking Johnson’s pitches, which were a bit faster than his last outing:

Josh Johnson (elbow) is scheduled to make his season debut Thursday against the Dodgers. Johnson has come back strong from Tommy John surgery, tossing eight scoreless innings in his fifth and final minor league rehab start Friday at Double-A. He’s less than 12 months removed from going under the knife, so expect some struggles. If they’re smart, the Marlins will be very careful with his workload initially. (Rotoworld)

The Marlins announced Sunday after their win against the Rockies that SP Josh Johnson will come off the DL to make his season debut on Thursday at San Diego. Johnson, who had reconstructive elbow surgery on Aug. 3, went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA as a rookie in 2006, so he certainly is worth a flier in all NL-only leagues. He has the potential to prove viable in mixed leagues as well if he looks up to speed right away, but give him a start or two to prove his health first. (CBS Sports)

Josh Johnson (elbow) threw eight scoreless innings Friday in his rehab start for Double-A Carolina. That should be good enough to get him back into Florida’s rotation next week. Ryan Tucker is the favorite to be replaced, though Mark Hendrickson is also vulnerable. (Rotoworld)

The Marlins said Monday that Josh Johnson (elbow) will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation. He’ll pitch for Double-A Carolina on Friday. It wouldn’t make much since to bring him back next week, since he’d get just one start before the All-Star break. Count on Johnson remaining in the minors until then. (Rotoworld)

Josh Johnson (elbow) threw 5.2 innings in a rehab start for Double-A Carolina on Sunday, giving up five runs on 11 hits and one walk, striking out three. The Marlins will wait to make sure Johnson doesn’t have any adverse reactions overnight, but he remains on schedule to return from the DL on Friday against the Rockies. You might wish to be a little deliberate before activating him - pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery often struggle with their command, especially when they come back ahead of schedule. (Rotowire)

Josh Johnson (elbow) gave up four runs — two earned — in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday in his rehab start for Double-A Carolina. He allowed six hits, walked none and struck out four in another solid effort. The control is especially impressive, as that’s usually the last thing a pitcher gets back as they try to regain a feel for their pitches following the surgery. Once Johnson proves he can handle a 100-pitch workload, expect to see him get the call back to the majors. There’s still plenty of time left for him to have a setback, but if he keeps this up, he’ll likely be added to Florida’s rotation right after the break. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Josh Johnson had another strong start on Thursday as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings for High-A Jupiter, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. 51 of his 85 pitches went for strikes. “I felt like I could have kept going and going and going. It is a good feeling,” said Johnson. His next start is scheduled to be at Double-A, and GM Larry Beinfest said that the team won’t consider bringing him up to the majors until he’s able to throw at least 100 pitches. “You temper [your excitement] with the history of the surgery,” Beinfest said. “Every time he goes out you just cross your fingers he won’t have a setback, which is not uncommon in Tommy John situations… We want him stretched out. He’s got to get up to be able to go 100 pitches and show he can bounce back in the five days, make sure the stamina is there, having been off as much as he has.” In keeper leagues you should prepare to grab Johnson as soon as you can, and while you have to expect short-term bumps in the road he might also have some value in the second half this season. (Rotowire)

Josh Johnson (Tommy John surgery) will be stretched out to 80-85 pitches in a rehab start for High-A Jupiter on Thursday, the Miami Herald reports. The Marlins are aiming to get him back in the rotation around the All-Star break. (Rotowire)

Marlins SP Josh Johnson, who had Tommy John surgery last August, made his first rehab start Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out seven in five innings for Class A Greensboro. He’s expected to make his next rehab start for Class A Jupiter. Johnson wasn’t expected back until September or so, but if he can get through a month of rehab without any trouble, he could be back in Florida next month. He is a top prospect and a DL stashee for all leagues where you can afford to wait until his return. There will be plenty reports on his progress in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. (CBS Sports)

Brewers SP Seth McClung continued his resurgence as a starter, lifting the Brewers to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. McClung (4-3) continued his superb turnaround since leaving the long relief role in the bullpen, scattering two runs and four hits, including a solo home run by Jason Kubel. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out four. The righty nicknamed “Chucky” after the horror movie character has pitched six innings in each of his last three starts, giving up a total of five earned runs with 13 strikeouts against just one walk. “My mechanics have always been fine, it’s just mentally, a mindset of just really not trying to overthrow that’s gotten me where I am right now,” said McClung, who was once a top-rated prospect in the Tampa Bay system before injuries and inconsistency eventually led the organization to trade him last season. McClung has done well with the Brewers, but we still like him more just as a NL-only Fantasy option. His next scheduled start is for Saturday against the Orioles. (CBS Sports)

Charlie Morton won in his major league debut, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 9-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. Morton, whose contract was purchased from the Braves’ Triple-A Richmond club earlier in the day, allowed three runs and five hits in six innings with four strikeouts and a walk. The 24-year-old right-hander is the ninth pitcher to start a game for the Braves, who have John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton on the disabled list. A third-round pick in the 2002 draft, Morton threw 64 of his 104 pitches for strikes. He was 5-2 with a 2.05 ERA in his first season at Triple-A and didn’t allow a home run in his 79 innings. He now finds himself in a contender’s rotation and is a must-add in all NL-only leagues and long-term keeper leagues at this point. His numbers suggest he can help in mixed leagues as well. His next start is slated for Thursday afternoon at Texas. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Charlie Morton, Braves [$9 bid, add to actives]
• P Seth McClung, Brewers [$6 bid, add to actives]
• P Josh Johnson, Marlins [$0 bid]

Up:

• 3B/OF Chase Headley (to Utility)
• OF John Bowker
• P Jorge Campillo
• P Mike Gonzalez

Down:

• P Jason Marquis
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Todd Wellemeyer
• P Jason Bergmann
• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• 3B Blake DeWitt

Cut:

• P Manny Acosta
• P Greg Reynolds
• P Doug Brocail