President of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters that Derek Johnson will not return as the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching coach for the 2027 season. Johnson, who has been with the club since 2019, took an indefinite leave of absence in June and has not come back.
Johnson’s tenure and team performance
During Johnson’s five‑year stretch, the Reds have posted a staff earned‑run average (ERA) of 4.22, ranking 22nd among the 30 major‑league clubs, according to StatMuse. In 1,194 games, the pitching staff recorded 10,529 strikeouts, placing the team 12th in total strikeouts and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (8.99 K/9). Opponents have hit .215 against Reds pitchers, and the club has surrendered 5,551 runs, the fifth‑most in the period since Johnson arrived.
After Johnson’s leave began, the Reds fell into the bottom five teams in the league for team ERA, posting a 4.85 mark.
Interim staff steps up
When Johnson stepped away, assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy and bullpen coach Oscar Martin assumed his game‑day responsibilities, according to an MLB.com report from the time of his departure. Both have continued to work with the pitching staff throughout the remainder of the season.
2026 rotation highlights
The 2026 season saw only one Reds starter finish with a winning record. Chase Burns posted a 15‑3 record with a 2.86 ERA over 29 starts and earned a National League All‑Star selection before a groin injury forced him out of the final weeks of the campaign.
Looking ahead
Krall indicated that the organization will evaluate its pitching staff and coaching structure during the offseason and will make a decision on a permanent replacement for Johnson before spring training begins. The Reds remain committed to improving their pitching performance and building on the strong work of the interim coaches.
The announcement underscores the club’s focus on stability and competitive progress as it prepares for the upcoming season.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
