Johnson, a first-round draft choice by the Houston Astros last month, was among three pitchers and two position players cut when U.S. coach Skip Bertman decided to beat Friday's deadline for naming the Olympic roster. Bertman will have a seven-man pitching staff featuring three starters.

Johnson, unavailabe for comment yesterday, failed to hold on to the U.S.'s 2-1 lead over Cuba Tuesday. Called on in relief to start the sevnth inning, he gave up a one-out, two-run double to Antonio Pacheco that put Cuba ahead for good in Game 4 of the NationsBank USA Baseball Tour five-game series. He left the game after giving up three hits, one walk, and being charged for three runs in one-third of an inning.

"It's probably the toughest thing I've had to do in 35 years of coaching," coach Bertman said of the roster trims.

Also cut were left-handed reliever Eric DuBose of Mississippi State, left-handed reliever Randy Wolf of Pepperdine, outfielder J.D. Drew of Florida State and infielder Casey Blake of Wichita State.

Once the Olympic roster is turned in tomorrow, there can be no changes.