Josh Johnson and R.A. Dickey Swap Spots In Blue Jays Rotation

June 4, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Josh Johnson (55) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at ATBlue Jays right-hander Josh Johnson will have his next scheduled start pushed back to Sunday, according to Gregor Chisholm in his latest Blue Jays Notebook.

Johnson, who has made two starts since being activated from the disabled list on June 4th, apparently developed a blister on his middle finger of his pitching hand during this last start. During that game, he went just five innings, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks, with the four walks being a season high and a possible indication of discomfort due to the blister.

Johnson sits on a 0-2 record for the season and holds a 5.40 ERA and 1.642 WHIP after six starts on the season. However, he does hold a xFIP of 4.08 and a .337 BABIP, which would seem to indicate that some of Johnson’s issues are partially a matter or poor luck.

Johnson is scheduled to be a free agent upon the completion of the 2013 season, and remains Toronto’s most likely trade chip should the team become sellers at the deadline.

With Johnson being pushed back a day, the Blue Jays will instead have R.A. Dickey take the ball on Saturday against Texas. Dickey is 1-3 over the course of his last four starts, and has surrendered 19 earned runs over those 26 innings (6.58 ERA).