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Randy Johnson returns when Diamondbacks face Giants

Apr 14, 2008 - 1:19 PM Arizona (9-3) at San Francisco (5-8), 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Already one of the best staffs in the majors, the Arizona Diamondbacks will welcome back a five-time Cy Young award winner on Monday.

Randy Johnson will make his first start of the 2008 campaign when the Diamondbacks visit the San Francisco Giants.

Johnson is just 16 wins shy of 300 for his career. He underwent major back surgery for the second time during last season, and, at 44-years-old, may be one more trip to the disabled list away from retirement.

But when healthy last season, Johnson proved he can still be a dominating pitcher. He put together a stretch of five straight starts from May 15 to June 10 in which he allowed a total of five runs in 29 2/3 innings while striking out 42.

The lefthander owns sub-.500 career records against just three majors league teams, including a 7-8 mark with a 3.55 ERA in 20 starts against the Giants.

San Francisco is one of the worst offensive clubs in the majors this season, but they have managed 14 runs in their past two games, including a 7-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

The Giants will counter with talented lefthander Jonathan Sanchez, who was just five years old when Johnson made his major league debut in 1988 for the Montreal Expos.

Sanchez dominated in his last start, allowing just three hits while striking out 10 in six scoreless frames Wednesday against San Diego.