Dan Johnson (baseball)

3.2.1. Oakland Athletics

Johnson made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2005, hitting 15 home runs and recording 58 RBIs with a .275 batting average in his rookie season, leading to expectations of him becoming a future middle-of-the-order slugger. In 2006, he experienced a slump, batting .237 before being demoted to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats in July. He returned to the Athletics' roster on August 31, finishing the season with a .234 batting average, 9 home runs, and 37 RBIs. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from double vision due to suntan lotion in his eyes, a problem he resolved for the 2007 season.

Johnson was projected to be the Athletics' starting first baseman in 2007, but he suffered a torn labrum in his hip late in spring training, causing him to miss the first three weeks of the season. He returned on April 25 and started strong, getting a hit in 16 of his first 18 games. For the week of May 7-13, he was named American League co-Player of the Week alongside teammate Jack Cust. Despite this strong start, Johnson's performance declined throughout the rest of the season, and his batting average dropped to .236. His struggles were particularly notable in July, where he batted only .156 with two home runs and eight RBIs over 19 games. On April 9, 2008, Johnson was designated for assignment by the Athletics.

3.2.2. Tampa Bay Rays (First and Second Stints)

On April 18, 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Johnson off waivers. However, he was again designated for assignment just five days later and subsequently outrighted to the Triple-A Durham Bulls three days after that. On September 9, Johnson was recalled by the Rays from Durham. He entered a crucial game against the Boston Red Sox as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and hit a game-tying home run. This moment was pivotal in the American League East Division race, as the Rays went on to win the game in extra innings, preventing the Red Sox from taking the division lead. The Rays ultimately clinched their first division title in franchise history, advancing to the World Series. Johnson concluded the 2008 season with a .192 batting average and a .276 on-base percentage.

On January 11, 2010, Johnson re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on a 1-year major league deal worth 500.00 K USD. After performing well with the Durham Bulls, where he hit 30 home runs and maintained a .303 batting average with a 1.053 OPS, he was called up to the Rays in August 2010. On August 28, he hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning against the Boston Red Sox. For the 2010 season, he batted .198, collecting 22 hits in 111 at bats, including 3 doubles and 7 home runs, with 23 RBIs.

On April 8, 2011, with the Rays trailing the Chicago White Sox 7-6 with two men on base, Johnson hit a three-run home run off Matt Thornton that landed on the Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar fence. This proved to be the game-winner as Tampa Bay defeated Chicago 9-7. On May 20, 2011, Johnson was designated for assignment but was recalled on September 14, 2011.

3.2.3. Yokohama BayStars

On December 19, 2008, Johnson signed a one-year contract for 1.20 M USD with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japanese Central League. He was anticipated to be a much-needed left-handed power hitter for the team. In the 2009 season, he was considered for the cleanup spot due to Shuichi Murata's injury during the WBC but started as the third hitter. After Murata's return, he was mostly used as the fifth or sixth hitter. Although registered as an outfielder in Yokohama, his natural position was infielder, and he had only played one game in the outfield in MLB. This, coupled with a left thigh injury during spring training and Seiichi Uchikawa's willingness to move to the outfield, led to Johnson being primarily used as a first baseman in games.

By the All-Star break, Johnson had hit 13 home runs, showcasing his power, and frequently drew walks. When Murata was re-injured in August, Johnson temporarily filled the cleanup role. His batting stance shifted from an extreme open stance to a slightly open one. While his hitting improved in the latter half of the season, particularly when used as a pinch hitter, his performance declined again towards the end of the season as opponents exploited his weaknesses. He finished the season with a .215 batting average. Due to his high salary, low batting average, and limited defensive versatility (only playing first base), the BayStars released him at the end of the season.

3.2.4. Chicago White Sox

On February 1, 2012, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and received an invitation to spring training. He played for the Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights, representing them in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Buffalo, New York, where he finished second in the home run derby. His contract was purchased by the Chicago White Sox on September 1, 2012. Chicago sports writers frequently recalled Johnson's Game 162 home run for the Tampa Bay Rays, with Chicago Tribune writer Phil Rogers noting how Johnson had "changed baseball's landscape" a season prior. On October 3, Johnson hit three home runs in a 9-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.

3.2.5. New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles

On January 24, 2013, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, receiving an invitation to spring training. He played for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, but was released on August 30, 2013, without making a Major League appearance for the Yankees.

Immediately after his release, on August 30, 2013, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He played in five games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. His contract was selected by the Orioles on September 13, and he appeared in three games, going hitless in five at bats with one strikeout. He was outrighted to Norfolk on October 31, and subsequently elected free agency on November 1.

3.2.6. Toronto Blue Jays

On November 15, 2013, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that they had signed Johnson to a minor league contract, which included an invitation to spring training. During this period, he reportedly began to consider a career transition to pitching. He started the 2014 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, playing 94 games, hitting 17 home runs, and recording 54 RBIs with a .248 batting average. On July 11, 2014, Johnson's contract was selected by the Blue Jays to replace Adam Lind, who had been placed on the disabled list. In his Blue Jays debut that night, he drew four walks in all four of his plate appearances and scored three runs. On July 26, Johnson recorded 4 RBIs, contributing to the Blue Jays ending a 17-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 31 due to a left hamstring injury and was activated on September 1 when rosters expanded, though he appeared in only two more games. In 2014, Johnson batted .211 with 1 home run and 7 RBIs in 15 games. On October 1, he was outrighted to Buffalo but elected to become a free agent on October 3.

3.2.7. Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals

On December 15, 2014, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. After batting .158 in 19 at-bats during spring training, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on March 26, 2015, for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He began the 2015 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats but was released on April 23.

On May 4, 2015, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. During his time with Memphis, he batted .265 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. On July 8, he signed a Major League contract with the Cardinals and was called up to the MLB roster. He played in 12 games for the Cardinals, collecting three hits in 19 at-bats. The club designated him for assignment on July 30 after trading for Brandon Moss, and he was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Memphis on August 3.