The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday finalized their five-year contract with Kenley Jansen, and designated Micah Johnson for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster. Johnson was acquired in from the Chicago White Sox in three-team trade in December 2015.
Los Angeles also received Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson as part of the deal, and only the latter remains with the organization.
Johnson began the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but quickly joined the Dodgers as Carl Crawford was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 9. However, Johnson only appeared in a pair of games off the bench, going 0-for-3, and returned to OKC two days later.
During 120 regular-season games with the Dodgers’ top affiliate, Johnson batted .261/.321/.356 with 23 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 37 RBI and had 26 stolen bases in 37 attempts.
Johnson batted .375/.432/.475 with two doubles, one triple, one RBI, four walks and eight stolen bases during nine playoff games. He was recalled from OKC on Sept. 19, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saying at the time the decision was meant to reward Johnson for playing well.
The speedy infielder appeared in five games off the bench, going 1-for-3 with one strikeout. During his two stints with the Dodgers, Johnson logged four innings at second base and one in left field.
Johnson began the 2015 season as the starting second baseman for the White Sox, but struggled at the plate and was demoted to Triple-A Charlotte. In similar fashion to last season, he returned in September of that year and finished the season batting .230/.306/.270 with four doubles and four RBI in 114 plate appearances across 36 games.
The Dodgers have seven days to attempt to trade Johnson or place him on waivers. Should he clear waivers, the club could then outright Johnson to the Minors.
