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. Ryan Griffin Jersey . 31-Feb. 2. While organizers havent decided if itll be red or green clay, they feel their choice of surface will give the Americans an advantage over Britain, which is expected to be led by defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. Stephen Anderson Jersey . The Canadian skicross racer appeared to have the bronze medal locked up in the mens final at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, only to wipe out while trying to make a pass in the biggest moment of his career. http://www.nfltexansproauthentic.com/Bl ... -V-Jersey/. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (5) – He had good saves on Giroux, Akeson, and Hartnell tonight. Whitney Mercilus Jersey .Boston beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Tuesday night and celebrated consecutive wins for the first time in more than a month. Tom Savage Jersey .com) - Nate Buss 3-pointer with 5.Anderson Silva is defying convention once again. Ed Soares, the former middleweight champions longtime manager, has told MMAJunkie.com that Silva has been cleared by doctors to begin training just five months after suffering a gruesome broken leg in an attempt to reclaim his title against Chris Weidman at UFC 168. This puts one of the UFCs most decorated fighters miles ahead of his recovery schedule and could see him return at the year-end event or for the first card of 2015. Silva initially announced that he would be out for the duration of 2014, however UFC president Dana White scoffed at the notion. "He always does that with the media," White said, as quoted by MMAJuunkie.dddddddddddd "I dont know if he likes to play with you guys or what he likes to do, but I said, hell be back in 2014 or first thing in 2015. End of 2014 or beginning of 2015 is what I said." Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) has already been seen training - lifting weights and grappling, as well as working on his boxing with Freddie Roach - but doctor clearance is a necessary formal designation. Now, let the speculation begin of who might have the honour of stepping into the octagon with "The Spider", or perhaps the former champ wants another crack at the gold. Nonetheless, Soares says Silva is "not one to call anyone out particularly." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '