Ball State University Athletics
Ball State Baseball Alumnus Ty Johnson Called Up by Tampa Bay Rays
September 05, 2026 | Baseball
Ball State baseball alumnus Ty Johnson was called up to the Tampa Bay Rays in advance of Saturday's game at the Texas Rangers.
Johnson has tallied a 3.03 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 62.1 innings this season for the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The right-handed pitcher boasts a career 14-12 record, 2.77 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 353 strikeouts in 256.2 innings as a professional.
A 2023 draft pick by the Chicago Cubs, Johnson was acquired by the Rays at the 2024 trade deadline. Johnson was named the Double-A Southern League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 149 strikeouts in 110.1 innings for the Montgomery Biscuits.
Mainly used as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues, Johnson has pitched in relief for the last month at Durham in preparation for an opportunity to bolster the Tampa Bay bullpen. The Rays (85-57) are in the midst of a pennant chase as they have the top record in the American League.
Johnson will be the seventh former Ball State student-athlete to play in the big leagues this year when he makes his debut joining Alex Call (Dodgers), Zach Cole (Astros), Drey Jameson (Diamondbacks), Chayce McDermott (Dodgers/Mets), Kyle Nicolas (Reds), and Tyler Schweitzer (White Sox). Schweitzer made his MLB debut in April.
Johnson has tallied a 3.03 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 62.1 innings this season for the Triple-A Durham Bulls. The right-handed pitcher boasts a career 14-12 record, 2.77 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 353 strikeouts in 256.2 innings as a professional.
A 2023 draft pick by the Chicago Cubs, Johnson was acquired by the Rays at the 2024 trade deadline. Johnson was named the Double-A Southern League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 149 strikeouts in 110.1 innings for the Montgomery Biscuits.
Mainly used as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues, Johnson has pitched in relief for the last month at Durham in preparation for an opportunity to bolster the Tampa Bay bullpen. The Rays (85-57) are in the midst of a pennant chase as they have the top record in the American League.
Johnson will be the seventh former Ball State student-athlete to play in the big leagues this year when he makes his debut joining Alex Call (Dodgers), Zach Cole (Astros), Drey Jameson (Diamondbacks), Chayce McDermott (Dodgers/Mets), Kyle Nicolas (Reds), and Tyler Schweitzer (White Sox). Schweitzer made his MLB debut in April.
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