MINNEAPOLIS -- The Oakland Athletics brought Jim Johnson into their bullpen when they lost All-Star closer Grant Balfour in free agency. Two weeks into the season, Johnson is 0-2 with an 18.90 ERA and one blown save in five appearances for the Athletics. Manager Bob Melvin couldnt afford to wait while the former Orioles closer got into a groove, removing him from that role on Thursday. Melvin will proceed with a closer-by-committee approach. "Theres no timetable," Melvin told As beat writers before the team played their series finale against the Minnesota Twins. "Lets just get him straightened out. And we have plenty of options. Thats the good thing about our team, our versatility. Well play it by ear based on how the games going, whos available on that particular day." Hes allowed at least two runs in three of his five appearances, his seven total runs allowed is tied for the most in the AL among relievers. Hes allowed more walks and hits than any other reliever in the league. Its a far cry from the dominant reliever who saved 50 games for the Orioles last season, tied with Atlantas Craig Kimbrel for the most in the majors. The As were in the market when Balfour, who had 38 saves last year to help Oakland win its second straight AL West title, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays over the winter. Johnson is making $10 million and will be a free agent at the end of this season, but the As can take heart that he has recovered from similar funks before to post solid seasons. Last year, he was charged with three losses and four of his nine total blown saves during a tough six-game stretch in the middle of May. He allowed 12 runs over five innings in that stretch, but posted a 1.52 ERA in his other 69 appearances. Oakland will use Dan Otero, Ryan Cook, Luke Gregorson and Sean Doolittle in save situations, depending on the matchup. Nike Vapormax Naiset .ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Vapormax 2019 Suomi .Y. -- Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney was mired in a shooting slump, and his woes coincided with a late-season swoon by the Orange. http://www.vapormaxsuomi.com/vapormax-flyknit-2-ale.html . The 23-year-old Poland international is back as first choice at Arsenal after losing his regular spot in the team on occasions over the last three seasons. Vapormax Ale . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night. Vapormax 97 Suomi . Not that Durant cared. The only streak he cares about is still intact. BALTIMORE -- Johan Santanas comeback bid with the Baltimore Orioles ended Friday when the two-time Cy Young Award winner tore his Achilles tendon. The injury occurred in Florida while Santana was pitching in extended spring training. He was struck by a line drive before stumbling in pursuit of the ball. An MRI revealed a torn tendon. "The tendon is severed, and it will in effect end his season," Orioles vice-president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said. "I know the rehab is significant for these tendon injuries. Well have to get with him and speak to him. But he wont be able to pitch for the Orioles this season." The 35-year-old Santana has not pitched in the majors since 2012 with the New York Mets. The left-hander missed last season after undergoing his second major shoulder surgery, then signed a minor league contract with Baltimore in March. Santanas return appeared on course when the Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday and placed him on the major league disabled list. "He was pitching well," Duquette said. "The last time out he had his velocity and he was able to back-door his slider. I think he had eight strikeouts and no walks, so he was right on schedule. After (Friday), he was going to come up and join the major league teeam, and we were going to continue the rehab in (Double-A) Bowie.dddddddddddd" Now, however, Santanas future is up in the air. "The skills are there," Duquette said. "Hes been able to rehab his arm, but now hes got another challenge." Santana broke into the majors with Minnesota in 2000. He won both his Cy Young Awards with the Twins, going 20-6 in 2004 and 19-6 in 2006. He was traded to New York before the 2008 season and signed a $137.5 million, six-year contract. But injuries limited him to less than four full seasons on the mound with the Mets, and his record got progressively worse -- 16-7, 13-9, 11-9, 6-9. It was uncertain if Santana could return after his second shoulder surgery, but Duquette thought it was worth taking a chance. Now he and the Orioles are left looking for a Plan B. "Its unfortunate," Duquette said. "We were looking for Johans leadership and also his pedigree from being a winning pitcher. Now well have to look for that capability somewhere else. "I was looking at it like a midseason acquisition or trade. We invested in the rehab and we invested in the salary, and of course we wouldnt have had to trade a player. Unfortunately it didnt work. Sometimes you can plan and do things right, and they just dont work out." ' ' '