Braves sign Jim Johnson to 2-year extension

The Braves have re-signed reliever Jim Johnson to a 2-year extension, according to a team announcement. Financial terms are not yet known.

Johnson, 33, was set to become a free agent this winter after signing a 1-year, $2.5 million deal with Atlanta last offseason. He pitched to a serviceable 3.11 ERA while saving 19 games for the club, and appears to be a candidate to serve as the team’s closer heading into next year.

Johnson was thought to be a trade candidate at the non-waiver deadline on Aug. 1, a year after the Braves shipped him to the Dodgers as part of a 3-team deal before re-signing him in late November. Some were puzzled when Atlanta held onto Johnson this summer, but it is now evident that he is part of the team’s long-term plans.

Johnson is a veteran of 11 major-league seasons with the Orioles (2006-13), Athletics (2014), Tigers (2014), Braves (2015, 2016) and Dodgers (2015). He was an All-Star in 2012 and owns a career 3.62 ERA.