Reds pitching coach Johnson takes indefinite leave of absence

ST. LOUIS — Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson is taking a personal leave of absence, the team announced Wednesday prior to the opening of a three-game set against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The leave is indefinite, and assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy will step into some of his gameday duties for the time being.

“I think we have really good coaches,” manager Terry Francona said. “I think we’ll pull together, which I think is a good trademark of guys that care about each other. I think we’ll be OK.”

Johnson, 54, became the Reds pitching coach ahead of the 2019 season following three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the same position. He was promoted to director of pitching prior to the 2022 season.

Francona said Tracy will handle mound visits but otherwise continue performing the same duties he has throughout the season. Tracy joined the organization as bullpen coach before the 2023 season and is in his first season as assistant pitching coach.

Bullpen coach Oscar Marin, in his first season in Cincinnati after six with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will assist Tracy in the execution of some of the pitching responsibilities. Francona said the Reds do not plan on making any additions to the staff for the time being, and that any future updates on Johnson’s status would be handled by the organization.

“As far as the advance [scouting] goes, they’ve been doing it together anyway,” Francona added. “That’s what we’re trying to do, is don’t create more than we need to, try to keep things kind of the same.”