Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Tapped to start Thursday

Johnson will start against Northeastern University on Thursday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Analysis:

The Red Sox traditionally kick off game action during spring training against a Boston-area college and this year it's the Huskies of NU. It's not typically an important assignment, but for Johnson it is. The left-hander was on the cusp of the major leagues coming out of 2015 spring training, but an elbow injury, a toe injury and then two months away from the game to deal with personal issues derailed his arrival. He finished last season pitching well at Triple-A Pawtucket and will return there to start 2017.