OAKLAND (AP) — Jim Johnson just never got comfortable with the Oakland Athletics. A slow start for the two-time AL saves leader turned into a nightmare.

The Athletics designated the right-hander for assignment before Thursday’s game with the Houston Astros.

“It started out bad for him and he just couldn’t get into a spot where he could find himself and not have to think about some of the failures or whatever that were going on,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “I feel awful about it, too, because it’s my job to get him in a position to succeed and it just didn’t happen here.”

Johnson, acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, was 4-2 with a 6.92 ERA and two saves in 38 games with the A’s.

Brought in to replace Grant Balfour as the team’s closer, Johnson faltered early, losing his first two outings before losing his job.

“I kept feeling like it was only a matter of time before he was going to right the ship,” A’s closer Sean Doolittle said. “You wouldn’t have known that he was struggling based on the way he was going about his business every day.”

Johnson allowed four runs on three hits without retiring a batter in Wednesday night’s 9-7 victory over the Astros.

“Everybody in this clubhouse knows how good he can be,” Doolittle said. “He saved 101 games in two seasons in the toughest division in baseball. I hope for his sake a change of scenery does him good and he can latch on somewhere else and land on his feet.”

Johnson led the AL in saves in each of the past two seasons, with 50 last year and 51 in 2012.

Evan Scribner was recalled to replace Johnson on the 25-man roster.

Twins trade 1B Kendrys Morales to Mariners

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kendrys Morales is on his way back to Seattle to try and give the Mariners’ struggling offense a boost as they chase a playoff spot.

The Minnesota Twins traded Morales to the Mariners on Thursday for minor-league pitcher Stephen Pryor. Morales hit 23 home runs and drove in 80 runs for the Mariners last season, but turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from Seattle to become a free agent.

“He’s a professional hitter,” Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He gives us the opportunity to stretch out our lineup, so to speak. He’s a nice fit, switch-hitter, hitting behind Robbie (Cano).

Tigers add Joakim Soria, bolstering shaky bullpen

ANAHEIM (AP) — The Detroit Tigers had seen enough from their shaky bullpen to know something had to be done. So the AL Central leaders acquired right-hander Joakim Soria.

“Obviously, I’m excited to have Joakim on the team,” manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday before the Tigers began a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. “Anytime you can get help of his caliber, especially at the back end of the bullpen, I don’t think there would be a manager who wouldn’t be excited about it.”

Twins trade 1B Kendrys Morales to Mariners

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kendrys Morales is on his way back to Seattle to try and give the Mariners’ struggling offense a boost as they chase a playoff spot.

The Minnesota Twins traded Morales to the Mariners on Thursday for minor-league pitcher Stephen Pryor. Morales hit 23 home runs and drove in 80 runs for the Mariners last season, but turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from Seattle to become a free agent.