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First baseman Dan Johnson signed with the Astros this winter as a minor league free agent and was invited to camp as a non-roster guy. His addition was one of depth; the Astros didn't have an MLB-ready first base candidate in the upper minors and Johnson provided some injury insurance for Evan Gattis and/or Jon Singleton.
But, that insurance hasn't been needed thus far, so the Astros on Thursday announced Johnson has been traded to the Reds for cash or a player to be named.
Astros traded infielder Dan Johnson to the Reds for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 26, 2015
The #Reds acquire IF Dan Johnson from the #Astros for player to be named later or cash.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 26, 2015
Reds announce Dan Johnson has been traded to the Reds for cash or a PTBNL.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 26, 2015
There was no space for Dan Johnson on the major-league roster, so the Astros facilitated him going to the Reds
— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) March 26, 2015
With trade of Johnson, the Astros' roster now stands at 40 players, including 33 players on the 40-man roster and seven non-roster invitees.
— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) March 26, 2015
Dan Johnson: "I mean if the opportunity wasn't going to be here, then I'm probably thankful for it."
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 26, 2015
Johnson doesn’t know Reds' situation . "I have no idea. ... I've been so jumbled with four kids and a wife, got to get them all squared away"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 26, 2015
The Reds currently have Brayan Pena and Todd Frazier listed as backups, but Pena is a catcher by trade and Frazier is the team's starting third baseman. Though the Reds don't have to have a backup first baseman on the roster, Johnson does give them a veteran bat off the bench.
While players to be named are rarely