Grant Balfour picked up another save Friday, pitching a perfect ninth against the Indians.

Balfour is 3-for-3 since reclaiming the closer's role from Ryan Cook. He's allowed just one run in 17 1/3 innings since July 1.

Grant Balfour picked up his eighth save of the season on Saturday night in Chicago, shutting down the White Sox to protect a 9-7 lead.

As Oakland manager Bob Melvin alluded to, Ryan Cook was used in a less pressurized situation in the eighth inning, leaving Balfour the opportunity to shut things down in the ninth. Balfour did have success in the stopper role earlier this year and could vulture more saves down the stretch if Cook can't get back on track.

Grant Balfour is unhappy about losing his closer's job to Brian Fuentes.

And he's been vocal about it, both to manager Bob Melvin and to the media. "I told him I wasn't happy," Balfour said. "I was [ticked] off. That's fine. Whatever. I'll just go on the field and do what I gotta do." Melvin had a different version of the events: "It was more 'Do I have a chance to get this back?' and I said 'Absolutely.' I've been on many teams [where] you give the closer a little break and give him a chance to iron things out, and he'll have that opportunity. It's not uncommon that guys get pulled out of that role and end up reclaiming it." Balfour started great, but blew two saves and posted an 11.81 ERA over his last seven games. The veteran is undoubtedly being shopped as we speak.

Grant Balfour picked up his seventh save of the season, protecting a one-run lead against the Rays on Saturday.

Balfour has been struggling as of late, coming off of two recent blown saves, but he sure looked sharp again in this one. B.J. Upton singled to lead off the inning, but was erased on a game-ending double play. With Brian Fuentes pitching well, there is added pressure on Balfour to perform, and he definitely took a step in the right direction Saturday.

Grant Balfour blew his second save in Sunday's loss to the Orioles.

Entering the game with one out and two on in the ninth inning of a 2-0 ballgame, Balfour failed to record an out, surrendering two hits, the second of which was a three-run homer off the bat of Wilson Betemit. The nightmare day ballooned his 1.38 ERA to 3.46. His WHIP remains a stellar 0.85, however, while his K/BB ratio is an acceptable 10/4 through 13 innings. He's not in danger of losing his job.

According to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Angels have inquired on Grant Balfour.

The Angels have also shown interest in Joel Hanrahan and Brandon League, but Cafardo believes Balfour is the most logical fit. This would all seem to indicate that Jordan Walden isn't close to regaining his job. The Angels will continue to use Scott Downs in the interim.

Grant Balfour rebounded nicely after blowing his first save on Wednesday, by shutting down the Orioles on Friday for his sixth save of the season.

Balfour surrendered a leadoff walk to Chris Davis, but retired the next three in order to get out of the inning. He's now converted six of seven save chances on the year and appears very secure in the role for the time being. There's always the chance that he'll be dealt at the trade deadline, but for now he's a tremendous asset to have around.

Grant Balfour turned in a perfect ninth inning Thursday for a save against the Angels.

Balfour was named Oakland's closer in spite of a poor spring, and he's certainly turned it on at the right time. He's allowed just one run and three hits in nine innings so far.

Grant Balfour pitched a perfect ninth inning against the Athletics on Thursday to pick up his first save of the season.

Balfour struck out Dustin Ackley and was able to set aside Ichiro Suzuki and Justin Smoak on ground outs. With a 2.38 ERA and 115/37 K/BB ratio over 117 1/3 innings over the past two seasons, Balfour was the far superior option to the declining Brian Fuentes for the ninth inning. We could see him becoming trade bait eventually, but he should be owned in all formats at the moment. We would keep an eye on Fautino De Los Santos for the long-term, though.

A's manager Bob Melvin announced Tuesday that Grant Balfour will serve as the team's closer.

Balfour beat out the older and more experienced Brian Fuentes for the job this spring. A native of Sydney, Australia, Balfour registered a 2.47 ERA and 59/20 K/BB ratio in 62 innings last year as a setup man and should make a seamless transition to the ninth-inning role. He deserves to be owned in all eligible fantasy formats.

Athletics' manager Bob Melvin said Friday that he's "getting closer" on making an announcement regarding the team's closer.

Chances are he's not very happy with what he's seen thus far, as Grant Balfour has allowed five runs over 3 2/3 innings this spring (12.27 ERA) while Brian Fuentes has allowed five runs over four innings (11.25 ERA). On the bright side, Balfour has back-to-back scoreless appearances under his belt. We'd give him the edge, despite Fuentes' previous experience in the role.

Grant Balfour gave up two homers and three runs in his inning against the Mariners on Friday.

A poor start for one of Oakland's closer hopefuls. Balfour is battling Brian Fuentes for the job, with young Fautino De Los Santos looming as a darkhorse possibility.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes were "obvious" candidates for the team's vacant closer job.

Melvin also mentioned the names of Fautino De Los Santos and Joey Devine. At this point in time, Balfour is likely the favorite for the job, but De Los Santos might be the best long-term bet. It wouldn't be a surprise if the team wound up using a host of players for the gig, making it an undesirable situation for fantasy purposes.

A's assistant GM David Forst said Wednesday that Grant Balfour, Fautino De Los Santos and Joey Devine will compete for the team's opening at closer.

Oakland traded closer Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox on Wednesday evening as part of a five-player swap. Balfour seems the likeliest candidate to win the job out of spring training given his age and potential value as a mid-season trade chip, but De Los Santos is a young arm worth monitoring. The 25-year-old may be worth a flier in drafts next spring.

Grant Balfour returned to action on Sunday July 31.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Grant Balfour is among the relievers the Diamondbacks have "taken a very close look at."

The A's seem reluctant to trade Balfour, though, as he's under contract for two more seasons and has had a terrific year. Arizona is likely to come away with a reliever Sunday, it just might not be Oakland's right-hander.

Grant Balfour could be unavailable to pitch Saturday after getting hit the back with a ball during batting practice before Friday's game.

He should be good to go soon. Balfour is in the midst of an outstanding season for the A's, as he's produced a 1.98 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while also striking out over a batter per inning and holding opposing hitters to a .188 average.

Athletics activated RHP Grant Balfour from the 15-day disabled list.

Balfour missed a little over two weeks with a strained right oblique muscle. He's registered a 2.48 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 32-plus innings of relief this season for the A's and will probably be shopped on the trade market later this month.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin confirmed that the plan is for Grant Balfour (oblique) to be activated from the disabled list Thursday.

Balfour gave up one run on two hits over an inning Tuesday during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Fresno, but the Athletics obviously aren't too concerned with the results. He'll return to a 2.48 ERA to go along with 35 strikeouts over 32 2/3 innings.

Grant Balfour is scheduled to make a rehab appearance Tuesday night at Triple-A Sacramento.

Balfour will make one or two minor league outings before returning to the Oakland bullpen on Thursday or Friday in Arlington, Texas. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since late June because of a strained right oblique.