CINCINNATI — With 12 home runs allowed in five starts this year – seven in three starts with the Padres – Erik Johnson is determined to keep the ball in the yard.
Reintroducing the sinker to his repertoire could help.
Although the 26-year-old right-hander hasn’t used it since 2014, according to data at brooksbaseball.net, the sinker has been a focus in side sessions this week with pitching coach Darren Balsley. The two have also toyed with his slider in search of a later break, but it’s the work his sinker that has Johnson especially encouraged as he heads into Tuesday’s start, his fourth with the Padres.