Johnson to have Dr. Andrews inspect forearm

SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Josh Johnson, on the disabled list since March 21 with a right forearm strain, will be examined in the next week by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Andrews did the cleanup surgery last October on Johnson's right elbow, removing bone spurs. It was 2008 when Andrews performed Tommy John surgery on Johnson, then a member of the Marlins.

"The general view [of Johnson's rehabilitation] has been good days and bad since we shut him down," said Padres general manager Josh Byrnes. "We'll get him in to see Dr. Andrews next week, get another set of eyes, and see where we are. I wish we all knew more."

The Padres signed Johnson to a one-year deal worth $8 million in November, with the hopes he could rebuild his credentials and be a force in the starting rotation.

The Padres hold a club option of $4 million for 2015 if Johnson is unable to make at least seven starts -- risk protection given his health issues last season.

Johnson was having a good -- and for him, an ordinary -- spring, posting a 3.38 ERA in his four starts when he woke up with a swollen forearm after an outing. He had an MRI shortly thereafter that confirmed the strain in the flexor pronator muscles of his right forearm.

Does Byrnes think Johnson will pitch for the Padres this season?

"I'm not sure," he said. "We'll know more next week."

Johnson received a cortisone shot on April 2 and said he felt better afterward. Still, there have been enough days of not knowing what would happen next to frustrate him beyond belief.

"It still drives me crazy," he said Tuesday. "It's a waiting game. We just want to do what we can to make sure it's 100 percent."