Jim Johnson picked up his 17th save of the season in a victory over the Rays on Saturday.

His 17 saves tie him for the major league lead with Fernando Rodney and Chris Perez. While he isn't your prototypical closer with only 14 strikeouts in 23 innings, his 0.78 ERA shows just how dominant he has been to this point.

Jim Johnson pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his eighth save of the season against the Red Sox on Friday.

Johnson continues to thrive in the closer's role and has been extremely impressive in the early part of the season. With all of the uncertainty and poor performances in bullpen's around the league, Johnson has become one of the more reliable options in the game.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is optimistic that Jim Johnson (flu) will be released from the hospital Friday morning, but he's not sure Johnson would be able to contribute right away.

"I don't know yet," Showalter said. "I tell you, by the way he sounded on the phone, you couldn't tell if he was real sickly or if he was ticked off. I think it was more the latter. When you're young and your body's not responding the way you want, I guess [it's tough]." It sounds like Pedro Strop could possibly be the closer for a few more days, so don't cut him just yet.

Doctors are still trying to determine the illness plaguing Jim Johnson, who remained in the hospital on Wednesday.

"[They're] still running tests, eliminated some things, haven't completely identified it," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He's getting a little frustrated." The O's originally thought Johnson merely had the flu, but it sounds like it could be something else. It might be wise for Johnson owners to go ahead and grab Pedro Strop, who picked up his first major league save Tuesday and should continue to handle the ninth inning for now.

Jim Johnson is still in the hospital Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms.

Johnson wasn't available for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, so Pedro Strop notched his first major league save. He could be called on again Wednesday.

Jim Johnson was hospitalized Monday because of flu-like symptoms and is not available on Tuesday.

There's a nasty bug going around the Orioles' clubhouse. Johnson has not allowed a run this season and is a perfect 7-for-7 on save opportunities. The O's could turn to Kevin Gregg in a save situation Tuesday night.

Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless 10th inning against the Angels Sunday for his seventh save of the season.

Johnson gave up a one-out double to pinch-hitter Kendrys Morales, but then got Erick Aybar to fly out and Howie Kendrick to strike out. Johnson is now a perfect 7-for-7 on save chances and is sporting a 0.00 ERA through 7 2/3 innings.

Jim Johnson loaded the bases in the ninth on Thursday, but he still managed a scoreless inning for his sixth save of the year.

Johnson walked A.J. Pierzynski, gave up a single to Adam Dunn and hit Paul Konerko with a pitch before finishing the inning. It could have gone a lot worse: both of his strikeouts were called and both appeared to be on pitches outside of the zone. Regardless, he's 6-for-6 saving games this season.

Jim Johnson locked down his third save in as many attempts as the Orioles beat the Blue Jays on Friday.

Manager Buck Showalter waited until the end of spring training to formally anoint Johnson as his closer, but he looks plenty secure in that role right now. He has recorded saves in three of the Orioles four wins and has yet to allow an earned run on the season.

Jim Johnson got two outs in the ninth for a save Friday against the Twins.

Troy Patton started the ninth in a 4-0 game, but he was pulled after giving up a two-run homer to Josh Willingham, creating the save chance. Johnson, who wasn't generally sharp in spring training after missing time with back issues, managed to retire two of the four hitters he faced to end it. He'll continue to get the save chances in Baltimore.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter officially named Jim Johnson his closer.

He's been the expected closer all along, and he'll officially take the reins despite a 6.75 ERA and six walks in eight innings this spring. Despite his Grapefruit League struggles, Johnson is the best option for the job. We're not terribly excited about him as a fantasy option, though, on that team and in that division.

Jim Johnson took a loss to the Tigers after giving up two runs in the ninth on Friday.

Johnson walked two and gave up a two-run triple to Tony Plagman, so this wasn't his finest effort. He just hasn't been particularly sharp since returning from his back woes, and the Orioles might not be comfortable letting him open the season as closer as is.

Orioles' manager Buck Showalter said Monday that he's not ready to name Jim Johnson (back) as the team's closer.

Johnson entered spring training as the assumed closer, but he has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut due to a back injury. His first appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. Showalter mentioned Kevin Gregg and Matt Lindstrom as potential alternatives for the closer gig, but we're guessing he wants to see Johnson make it through a couple of appearances healthy before making an official decision.

Jim Johnson (back) is scheduled to make his spring debut Wednesday.

It will come after he makes an appearance in a "B" game Sunday. Johnson has been nursing a back ailment since the beginning of camp, but he's felt alright for a while now and the Orioles can afford to ease him back into things since he doesn't need many appearances to be ready by Opening Day.

Jim Johnson (back) is scheduled to throw two more live batting practice sessions before appearing in a spring training game.

Johnson no longer needs treatment for his back ailment, as he's been pain-free for a while now. The veteran right-hander won't need a ton of appearances to get ready for Opening Day, so this hasn't been a significant setback for him. He's slated to be the Orioles closer this season.

Jim Johnson (back) threw his second bullpen session of the spring on Tuesday morning in Orioles camp.

Johnson is scheduled to throw off a mound again on Friday and Sunday before throwing live batting practice for the first time on March 10. The 28-year-old closer should be back to 100 percent by the start of the season.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Jim Johnson's (back) bullpen session Sunday "went great."

Johnson had been limited to working off a half-mound recently due to lower back pain, but it sounds like he'll be alright. The 28-year-old veteran is slated to be the Orioles closer this season after converting all seven save opportunities for them last September.

Jim Johnson (back) is scheduled to throw off a mound Sunday.

Evidently his scheduled session for Saturday was pushed back. Johnson, who is expected to serve as the O's closer this season, has been dealing with lower back pain but has been able to throw off a half-mound without any issues. He should be able to get back on track.

Jim Johnson (back) will throw one more time off a half-mound before progressing to a regular mound.

Johnson is currently behind some of the other pitchers in camp due to back tightness, but he won't need many innings to get ready for the season. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 2.67 ERA and 58/21 K/BB ratio over 91 innings last season and is the favorite to close games for the O's in 2012.

Jim Johnson (back) will throw off a half-mound Tuesday.

Johnson is about a week behind the other pitchers in O's camp due to back tightness that he developed over the offseason. It doesn't seem to be a major concern for the Baltimore closer, who can play catch-up in March.