FORT MYERS, Fla. — Brian Johnson had been battling illness over the past couple of days, but the 28-year-old lefthander was understandably eager to make his start on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins.
In retrospect, maybe he should have taken another recovery day or two.
Johnson’s outing did not go well, and it did not go on for very long. He allowed five hits and three runs while recording just four outs in the Red Sox’ 12-1 loss at JetBlue Park.
Manager Alex Cora, who removed the pitcher after Luke Raley’s two-run triple with one out in the second, provided a succinct assessment when asked how Johnson looked to him.