Johnson said he received the phone call from assistant general manager DeJon Watson informing him of his call-up while on a date Thursday night near his home in Tampa, Fla. He flew to Arizona on Friday morning and was used that night as a third-inning replacement for Hiroki Kuroda.
Johnson, 34, was 11-5 with a 3.82 ERA for Las Vegas. He spent last season with the Seibu Lions of Japan. To clear room on the 40-man roster for him, the Dodgers moved Yhency Brazoban to the 60-day disabled list.
Short hops
Jason Schmidt's scheduled start with Las Vegas on Friday was canceled, as the $47-million right-hander felt discomfort in his throwing shoulder after his last outing. Schmidt will throw a couple of bullpen sessions before resuming his rehab assignment, Torre said. . . . Pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney returned healthy from his four-game rehab assignment in Las Vegas and traveled with the Dodgers to Arizona. Though Sweeney is eligible to be activated today, Torre said he was unsure whether a roster move would be made. . . . Construction on the Dodgers' new spring training facility in Glendale, Ariz., is 45% complete, according to project manager Tom Harrison of M.A. Mortenson Co. The 15-field complex, which will be shared with the Chicago White Sox, should be ready for the start of spring training next year. . . . Torre turned 68 Friday.
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dylan.hernandez@latimes.com
