NEW YORK -- The news on Brian Johnson is potentially ominous.
The Red Sox placed their left-handed pitcher on the DL Tuesday after Johnson left Sunday's start complaining about elbow tightness.
"It's in the ulnar nerve area,'' said John Farrell. "I don't know how long of a shutdown he'll go through, but obviously the elbow situation flared up on him and he's on the DL at Pawtucket.
Johnson made his major league debut almost two weeks ago in Houston and was soon optioned back to the minors.
Only last week, Farrell openly discussed giving starting spots to Johnson and Henry Owens "soon.''
Owens was called up and is making his major league debut Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Johnson likely would have been brought back in the near future before encountering his elbow injury.
Farrell was unsure whether tests had shown a tear in the elbow ligament, which would lead to Tommy John surgery and a lengthy absence from the mound.
"I don't have the specifics," said Farrell. "The only thing that I do know is (the soreness is in) the ulnar nerve area. Whether or not the ligament is completely uninvolved, I don't have the specifics on that."