Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson will not return to the club in 2027 after taking a personal leave of absence in June, Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall announced. Krall stated that the organization wishes Johnson and his family the best and confirmed that a search for a new pitching coach will begin immediately.
Coaching Departure Follows Indefinite Leave
Johnson had been with the organization since 2019, taking over as pitching coach when David Bell became the manager that season. The club extended Johnson’s contract after the 2021 season, adding the title of director of pitching. Prior to joining Cincinnati, Johnson spent three seasons as minor league pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs and three seasons as pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, following a successful stint at Vanderbilt University.
During Johnson’s indefinite leave of absence in the middle of the season, assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy and bullpen coach Oscar Martin took over game-day duties. Appearing on First Word with James Rapien, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic stated that he did not expect Johnson to return, raising questions for an important offseason.
Reds rank 22nd in staff ERA since 2019
According to StatMuse data, the Reds rank 22nd in the majors in staff ERA with a 4.22 clip since Johnson was hired in 2019. Over 1,194 games in that span, the team ranks 12th in total strikeouts with 10,529 and 10th in K/9 at 8.99, while surrendering 5,551 runs, the fifth-most since Johnson joined the club. After Johnson’s leave of absence began, the Reds ranked in the bottom five in baseball with a 4.85 team ERA, finishing the year ranked 28th overall in ERA.
The rotation featured strong individual performances alongside significant injuries and regression. Chase Burns went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 29 starts, earning National League All-Star honors before being shut down in the final weeks due to a groin injury. Hunter Greene was limited to five starts due to injuries, and Nick Lodolo battled a recurrence of blister issues. Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer both stumbled through difficult seasons, forcing the club to rely on unproven options like Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, Chase Petty, and a brief stint from Chris Paddack.
Emilio Pagán addresses team execution and struggles
Addressing the team’s overall struggles, pitcher Emilio Pagán spoke to the media and acknowledged that execution needed to improve across the board. “Obviously, it’s easy to point to untimely injuries,” Pagán said. “But the fact of the matter is, we didn’t execute well enough as a team, as an organization, as individuals, to be the type of team that we thought we were going to be. We have to find a way to be more consistent in that execution — in all facets of the game.”
Cincinnati heads into 2027 with largely the same group of starters under contract, minus Singer, who is a free agent. Improved health from Greene and Lodolo, alongside lessened workload restrictions for Burns, will shape the rotation as the organization begins its search for a new pitching coach.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Coaching Change
Who took over pitching coach duties when Derek Johnson went on leave?
Assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy and bullpen coach Oscar Martin took over game-day duties following Johnson’s departure in June.
What were the overall statistics for Cincinnati’s pitching staff during Johnson’s tenure?
According to StatMuse data, the Reds posted a 4.22 team ERA, ranking 22nd in the majors, with 10,529 strikeouts and 5,551 runs allowed since the start of 2019.
Which Reds starting pitcher finished the 2026 season with a winning record?
Chase Burns was the only member of the Reds rotation to finish with a winning record, going 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 29 starts before a groin injury ended his season.