ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves re-signed reliever Pierce Johnson to a $14.25 million, two-year contract Wednesday in the first offseason move for the team that posted Major League Baseball’s best record for the 2023 regular season.
Johnson, who provided the Braves with a hard-throwing option out of the bullpen after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies, will make $7 million each of the next two seasons. The deal also includes a $7 million club option for 2026 with a $250,000 buyout.
The 32-year-old right-hander lost the closer’s job with the Rockies, but he turned his season around after he was acquired by Atlanta for two minor leaguers on July 24.
Johnson allowed two earned runs in 23 2/3 innings for a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances for the Braves, recording 32 strikeouts and just five walks. He assumed a key setup role along with A.J. Minter for closer Raisel Iglesias for the six-time reigning National League East Division champions.
During the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Johnson added three scoreless appearances, but the 104-win Braves were upset by the wild-card Phillies in four games for the second year in a row.