Former Missouri State University standout Pierce Johnson was called up Wednesday by the Chicago Cubs.
Johnson, 26, was 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 12 appearances this spring for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He was called up to the Major Leagues before Chicago's game Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Cubs drafted Johnson No. 43 overall in the 2012 draft following a standout career at MSU.
Johnson, a hard-throwing 6-foot-3 right-hander, had a record 119 strikeouts as a junior at Missouri State.
The Cubs are the defending World Series champions. They are 20-19 this season.