Sources: Johnson agrees to $39M extension with Marlins

Right-hander Josh Johnson has agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract extension with the Marlins, two sources confirmed to FOXSports.com.

Johnson was set to become a free agent after the 2011 season — along with fellow star pitchers Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander.

The sides reached the agreement two days after a joint statement by Major League Baseball and the union questioned the Marlins' lack of spending.

The Marlins now have Johnson under contract through 2013, and he becomes the front-runner to start the first game in their new ballpark in 2012. Widely regarded as one of baseball's best young pitchers, he made the All-Star team for the first time last year, when he had a career-best record of 15-5 with an ERA of 3.23 in 209 innings.

"J.J. has been a horse," general manager Larry Beinfest said shortly after last season. "We think he's going to be one of the top pitchers in this league for quite a while."

Johnson is 22-6 since returning in 2008 from elbow ligament replacement surgery. The right-hander went 12-7 as a rookie in 2006 and has a career record of 34-16.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.