Johnson (elbow), who is slated to throw a bullpen session Monday, is progressing well and threw off flat-ground on Friday, MLB.com reports. Johnson is less than a year removed from his second Tommy John surgery, but has been able to put in the rehab and flat-ground work this spring to move to throwing off a mound. If all goes well and Johnson continues to progress without any setbacks, he could be back in the major leagues by late May or early June.

Johnson (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session March 23, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The mound session will mark Johnson's first since he underwent his second career Tommy John surgery close to 11 months ago. Johnson has been long-tossing in camp without issue, and is slated to throw to a catcher on flat ground several times before advancing to elevated ground. It appears the right-hander is on track to be ready for big-league action around late May or early June, barring a setback.

Johnson (elbow) will throw on flat ground Friday, moving closer to his first bullpen session, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Johnson continues to work his way back from the his second Tommy John surgery last April, and it appears he is moving in the right direction. His return to game action is likely a ways off still, but he could return to the starting rotation within the first couple months of the season if all goes well.

Johnson is slated to throw to on flat ground next week and could throw a bullpen session within the next couple of weeks, The San Diego Union-Trubunereports. Johnson is scheduled to long-toss this week and will throw to a catcher on flat ground next week. This is a good sign for Johnson, who is trying to make a comeback after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery last April. At this rate, it looks as though Johnson could be up with the major league club in early June.

Johnson (elbow) could throw a bullpen session as early as next week, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Johnson will likely continue to be dealt with conservatively, as the report notes that it wouldn't be surprising if the session was pushed back another week. The Padres are anticipating a return in either May or June for the right-hander, who continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April. A wait-and-see approach continues to be the optimal strategy for Johnson in most formats.

The Padres are projecting a possible May or June return for Johnson (elbow) in 2015, Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reports.He won't be pushed aggressively, as the Padres have plenty of pitching depth, and it is not abundantly clear that Johnson represents a major upgrade over any of the pitchers who will start the season in San Diego's rotation. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, there is not enough upside here to justify stashing Johnson in most mixed leagues, but he's definitely someone to put on watch lists.

Johnson (elbow) started a throwing program in October and expects to return midseason, MLB.com reports. Johnson underwent Tommy John surgery toward the end of last April, so the earliest return date given the usual timetable would likely be around the start of May. He did sign a one-year deal with the Padres in December, so clearly the team expects that he could be productive this season. In his last full season in 2012, Johnson posted a 3.81 ERA with 165 strikeouts in 191.1 innings.

Johnson (elbow) agreed to a one-year deal worth "closer to $1 million" Thursday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Johnson's contract will reportedly also include incentives that could make the contract worth between $7 and $8 million. He is coming off Tommy John surgery in April, but could be available for the start of the 2014 season. It's no surprise that Johnson's deal is heavily incentivized given his past injuries, but the deal could allow him to make a good chunk of change if he remains healthy. The deal could also give the Padres another good arm in the starting rotation if Johnson can return to his 2012 form with the Marlins. In that season, he posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 165 strikeouts over 191.1 innings.

Johnson's contract option was declined by the Padres on Thursday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Johnson spent most of the 2014 season on the disabled list after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late April. The Padres and Johnson are still reportedly negotiating another contract, but he may sign with other teams as well when the free agency period begins Nov. 4.

Johnson (elbow) played catch last Thursday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April, MLB.com reports. Johnson, who was sidelined after throwing just 13 pitches in spring training, cleared the first major hurdle on his long road back from reconstructive elbow surgery last week, playing catch near his home in Las Vegas. He will continue to ramp up his throwing program on into November, and while there is plenty of uncertainty regarding Johnson's future, the prevailing thought is that the Padres would like to have him back next season. However, that does not necessarily mean the team will pick up his $4 million club option for 2015.