Dodgers call up Micah Johnson

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Micah Johnson, who was on the Dodgers’ roster early this year but hasn’t been in the big leagues since April 10, was recalled by Los Angeles before tonight’s series opener against the Giants.

The 25-year-old Johnson, who stole 84 bases in the minors in 2013, gives the Dodgers an extra pinch-running option off the bench, as well as fielding depth. He played second, third, center and left for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year.

Johnson is officially 0 for 3 in two games with the Dodgers this year, after which he had a .321 on-base percentage while slugging .356 for Oklahoma City, stealing 26 bases in 37 attempts.

Including Oklahoma City’s trip to the Pacific Coast League finals, Johnson finished his minor-league season with a 16-game hitting streak in which he went 27 for 70 (.386). He also stole eight bases in nine playoff games.

Johnson made his MLB debut in 2015 with the White Sox and went 23 for 100 with a .306 OBP. He becomes the 36th player on the Dodgers’ active roster.

Alex Wood, whose activation from the disabled list had been anticipated today, is being held back for one more game. Judging by Dave Roberts’ pregame comments, the delay is less about Wood than the need to create a spot on the 40-man roster, something that would either involve placing a someone else on the 60-day DL (effectively ending that player’s season) or designating a player for assignment.

As for the other veteran starting pitchers on the DL:

• Scott Kazmir’s blister isn’t expected to be a long-term problem, Roberts said, so his status is still up in the air.
• Brett Anderson doesn’t have an activation date, but his return before the end of September remains on the docket.
• Brandon McCarthy has a 75-pitch simulated outing scheduled for Tuesday.
• Hyun-Jin Ryu is also expected to throw Tuesday, in the neighborhood of 25 pitches, though that has more to do with his ongoing rehab than any plans to return to play this year.