Toronto Blue Jays starter Josh Johnson has cleared waiver and can now be traded to any team, but trading the right-hander may prove to be difficult.
Johnson was one of baseball’s best pitchers until injuries set him back.
His ERA, 1.64 in a season shortened by injury a couple of years ago, rose to 3.81 last year and is up even more this year.
Johnson was acquired by Toronto in a trade that sent Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Reyes, Emilio Bonifacioand catcher John Buck to Toronto in exchange for pitchers Henderson Alvarez andJustin Nicolino, infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, and center fielder Jacob Marisnick, catcher Jeff Mathis and minor league right-hander Anthony DeSclafani.
Johnson makes $13.75 million this year. A claiming team would have been on the hook for about $4 million through the rest of the year and is is 2-8 with a 6.20 ERA, though he did throw five shutout innings in a 7-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners last time out.
