masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNEW YORK – Jim Johnson has thrown two bullpen sessions since being hospitalized with food poisoning and flu-like symptoms, and he’s available to pitch if manager Buck Showalter needs him.

Johnson hasn’t made an appearance since April 22 in Anaheim, when he converted his 15th straight save opportunity dating to last August, but he confirmed earlier today that he’s “pitchable.”

“I’m ready. I told them I was ready yesterday,” he said.

“I feel back to normal. My pants fit a little bit…NEW YORK – Jim Johnson has thrown two bullpen sessions since being hospitalized with food poisoning and flu-like symptoms, and he’s available to pitch if manager Buck Showalter needs him.

Johnson hasn’t made an appearance since April 22 in Anaheim, when he converted his 15th straight save opportunity dating to last August, but he confirmed earlier today that he’s “pitchable.”

“I’m ready. I told them I was ready yesterday,” he said.

“I feel back to normal. My pants fit a little bit looser. But everything’s good. If the situation presents itself, we’ll see how (Showalter) handles it, but I’ll be ready for it.”

Johnson spent four nights at Saint Agnes Hospital before being released Friday morning.

“It seems like it’s been a long time, but I feel fine. I feel like I’m back to where I need to be,” he said.

“The first time I threw, not everything was where it needed to be. All that time off and all the other things that were going on, it just didn’t feel right. But I threw again yesterday before the game early and I actually felt like I threw the ball better than I had been the week before I got sick.

“I’m exactly where I need to be.”

Endy Chavez pinch-ran yesterday, but he’s still receiving treatment for a sore oblique. He had an ice pack wrapped on his side before batting practice.