"Josh Johnson hasn't gained an inch in height during his long stay on the disabled list. But he's standing taller after a physical therapist suggested his shoulder injury might have stemmed from the slouching and bending that occurs with "tall man's syndrome."

As a result, the 6-7 pitcher is watching his posture, standing straighter to relieve pressure on his scapula and wearing a customized shirt that keeps his shoulders back. When he walked into the clubhouse the other day, teammates that had not seen him in a while said he looked taller.

"It's a matter of posture and a bunch of stuff that just kind of led up to it," said Johnson, who threw off a bullpen mound Monday for the first time since June. "Years and years of being tall, you're always slouching down. ... Your shoulder's not in a good place. You start leaning over when you're throwing. It snowballs." "