Diamondbacks hope Johnson will return to form

PHOENIX (AP) _ The Arizona Diamondbacks made it official Tuesday: Randy Johnson is back. <br/><br/>The Diamondbacks announced that they reacquired the Big Unit in a trade with the New York Yankees, one

Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 2:22 pm

By: News On 6

PHOENIX (AP) _ The Arizona Diamondbacks made it official Tuesday: Randy Johnson is back.

The Diamondbacks announced that they reacquired the Big Unit in a trade with the New York Yankees, one day after he passed his physical.

Johnson, who had back surgery last season, was introduced at a Chase Field news conference _ but Arizona fans already know the rangy 43-year-old left-hander, who lives in the Phoenix area. Johnson's best seasons came in Arizona, where he was 103-49 in six seasons and won four NL Cy Young Awards before going to the Yankees in a trade he sought in 2005.

After two difficult seasons in New York, Johnson returns to the Diamondbacks with a two-year, $26 million contract. Johnson, who waived his no-trade clause to accept the deal, was acquired for right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino and three minor leaguers: right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.

New York also agreed to pay $2 million of Johnson's salary this year. Because of the cash involved, the deal had to be approved by commissioner Bud Selig.

The Diamondbacks hope Johnson will help them end a three-year streak of losing seasons, the longest in their nine-year history.