Johnson will determine how much he plays

BOSTON — With Marlon Byrd on the disabled list with facial fractures, the bulk of the playing time in center field for now will go to Reed Johnson.

The 34-year-old Johnson re-signed with the Cubs this past winter after a year with the Dodgers. Johnson played for the Cubs in 2008-09.

He’s off to a good start. Entering Sunday, Johnson had a hitting line of .392/.448/.686 with 7 doubles, a triple and 2 homers.

How much Johnson plays remains to be seen. The Cubs are likely to call up an outfielder from the minor leagues this week.

Top center-field prospect Brett Jackson has been on the disabled list at Class AA Tennessee with a finger injury. The Cubs may want to let recently demoted outfielder Tyler Colvin regain his swing at Class AAA Iowa. Lou Montanez, also at Iowa, is another possible option.

“I don’t know yet,” manager Mike Quade said of Johnson. “We’re going to let him tell us that. People have fooled me before. Reed’s been a great role player for quite a few years now. He’s going to get a chance to do this way more regularly now, at least for the next few weeks.

“I hope he says hot. He’s the guy. He deserves it. He’s earned it. Let’s let him run with it. I talked with him and said, ‘Look, this is a little different situation.’ And he knows it. He’s a veteran guy.”

Johnson said he’d try to be ready.

“You just continue to prepare yourself in the batting cage and in batting practice,” he said. “When something like this comes along, you’re hopefully ready to step in and hopefully pick up where the guy left off. You’ve got big shoes to fill.”

Wells works:Pitcher Randy Wells made his second minor-league rehab start Sunday. Pitching for Class AAA Iowa, Wells worked 4 innings, giving up 6 hits and 7 runs, 6 earned. He walked three, struck out three and gave up a home run.Wells, who is rehabbing from a strained right forearm, threw 68 pitches, 43 strikes. He figures to come off the disabled list this weekend against the Pirates.