The San Diego Padres and right-handed pitcher Pierce Johnson have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $5M contract with a team-option for a third year in 2022.

The 28-year-old pitched in the big leagues a part of two seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, respectively. Johnson had a 5.44 earned run average and a 3-2 record in 38 games. He struck out 7.7 hitters per nine innings.

After struggling in the major leagues, Johnson played with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League (JPCL) in the 2019 season where he pitched 58 ⅓ innings for a 1.38 ERA. The former first-round pick struck out 14 hitters and walked two every nine frames.

Johnson will look to have his first successful season in the big leagues in 2020, and to help the Padres in their quest to end the 13-year playoff drought.