Grant Balfour (knee) is likely to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday.

Balfour first has to make it through a one-inning minor league appearance on Monday. The A's closer underwent right knee surgery last month but should be ready on Opening Day. He'll be a fine fantasy option this season.

Grant Balfour (knee) will face hitters again on Friday.

If the live batting practice session goes well, Balfour could be cleared to make his Cactus League debut on Monday. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month but has made a smooth recovery so far and should be the A's closer on Opening Day.

Grant Balfour (knee) is aiming to make his Cactus League debut by Monday.

Balfour threw to hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month. He's also resumed running this week. The fiery closer will only have two weeks' worth of game action in order to get ready for Opening Day, but that should be enough as long as he doesn't have a setback.

Grant Balfour (knee) is scheduled to throw to hitters Tuesday.

Balfour was recently cleared to start running and will need to make it through a few throwing sessions against hitters before testing himself in game action. Barring any setbacks, the A's closer should have enough time to get ready for the season.

Grant Balfour threw his fourth bullpen session Saturday in his quest to return from knee surgery last month.

"He's on a good schedule right now," manager Bob Melvin said. "If he continues at the pace he's on right now and there are no setbacks, he certainly would be ready for the season." Balfour, 35, became the A's closer last season and saved 24 games for the playoff team. Assuming he's ready for the start of the season, he'll retain that role in 2013.

Grant Balfour (knee) threw 40 pitches off a bullpen mound on Wednesday morning in Athletics camp.

That's up from his 35-pitch workout on Monday. Balfour has now thrown three full-intensity bullpen sessions and should be able to fit in several Cactus League relief appearances before the start of the regular season. He will open the 2013 campaign as Oakland's closer.

Grant Balfour threw his second bullpen session Monday since undergoing February knee surgery.

Balfour tossed 35 pitches and felt fine. Relief pitchers only need a handful of spring appearances to get properly tuned up for the regular season, so Balfour has good odds of being ready on Opening Day. He will serve as Oakland's primary ninth-inning man this summer.

Grant Balfour (knee) threw a bullpen session Friday.

Balfour has healed rapidly from right knee surgery, as he went under the knife just two weeks ago. As long as he doesn't have a setbacks, the A's closer will have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Grant Balfour (knee) made 35 throws off flat ground on Wednesday afternoon in A's camp.

Balfour felt fine during and after the throwing session, and is hoping that his next workout will be on top of a mound. The A's closer underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on February 14 and was given a 4-6 week timetable. He's ahead of schedule for now.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Grant Balfour (knee) is recovering ahead of schedule.

Melvin said his biggest problem with Balfour at this point is keeping him from doing too much. Balfour had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on February 14 and was given a 4-6 week timetable to return. It sounds like he should be able to make it back from Opening Day as long as he doesn't have a setback.

Grant Balfour felt "great" after playing catch Tuesday for the first time since right surgery last week.

Balfour was originally projected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks following surgery, so it's encouraging that he's making quick progress. Barring any setbacks, there's still a chance he could be ready for Opening Day.

Grant Balfour will play catch Tuesday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week.

That's a good sign for his progress. Balfour was estimated to need 4-6 weeks of recovery time, but assuming he stays on track, there's still a chance he'll be ready for the start of the season. If not, Ryan Cook or Sean Doolittle could get some early save chances.

Grant Balfour said Friday that he has no swelling in his surgically-repaired right knee and has already begun his rehab.

Balfour had an operation Thursday in which the surgeon shaved off a little bit of his meniscus, a procedure that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. The A's closer wasn't scheduled to appear in a Cactus League game until mid-March, anyway, so he doesn't think he'll be too far behind. It's possible he won't quite be ready for Opening Day, though, in which case The A's would use Ryan Cook and/or Sean Doolittle in the ninth inning.

Grant Balfour underwent minor knee surgery on Thursday and will require 4-6 weeks of recovery time.

It doesn't take long for relievers to get geared up physically for the start of the regular season, but Balfour is obviously in danger of not being ready. The A's will turn to either Ryan Cook or Sean Doolittle for ninth-inning responsibilities if Balfour can't go on Opening Day. It'll be a situation to monitor all spring.

Athletics exercised RHP Grant Balfour's $4.5 million option for 2013.

Athletics general manager Billy Beane indicated as much earlier this month, so it doesn't come as a big surprise. Balfour posted a 2.53 ERA, 24 saves and a 72/28 K/BB ratio over 74 2/3 innings this season.

Athletics general manager Billy Beane indicated that Grant Balfour's $4.5 million option for 2013 will be picked up.

"There are some things that seem like common sense," Beane said. Indeed, paying Balfour $4.5 million to return is pretty much a no-brainer. Even if the A's can't repeat their magic from last season, they could likely trade Balfour to a contender at the deadline. The 34-year-old posted a 2.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while striking out nearly a batter per inning and recording 24 saves in 2012.

Grant Balfour took the loss Sunday, giving up two hits and a walk-off sacrifice fly in the ALDS Game 2 loss to the Tigers.

Balfour allowed a couple soft singles to Omar Infante and Miguel Cabrera and walked Prince Fielder intentionally before Don Kelly ended things with the walk-off sac fly. The A's closer wasn't the only member of the bullpen to struggle, as Sean Doolittle and Joaquin Benoit allowed a total three runs in the seventh and eighth. It's possible they could be wearing down with as much as they've pitched recently.

Grant Balfour slammed the door on the Rangers on Tuesday, retiring all three hitters he faced to preserve a one-run victory.

Balfour calmly induced a weak ground out, then fanned Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz to finish the job. Since re-taking the closer's job on August 11, he's converted all 17 of his save chances while posting a 2.18 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 26/6 K/BB ratio over 20 2/3 innings.

Grant Balfour converted his 20th save in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

Balfour got Ichiro and A-Rod to fly out before punching out Robinson Cano looking to preserve the one-run win. Since re-taking his ninth inning gig, Balfour has posted a 2.87 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 15 2/3 frames while converting all 13 save chances.

Grant Balfour slammed the door on the Twins Tuesday, retiring all three batters he faced for his 12th save.

Balfour has five saves in 11 days since taking back the closer's gig from Ryan Cook. Balfour in the ninth-inning role was only supposed to be a temporary move, but it's doubtful that Oakland will yank him from the high-pressure situation while they fight for a playoff position. As such, Balfour, a highly-effective reliever, has superb fantasy value over the next six weeks.