Dan Johnson hit a go-ahead solo homer in Monday's 3-1 win over the Yankees.

Johnson went deep off prospect left-hander Manny Banuelos in the bottom of the seventh to put the Rays ahead for good. Casey Kotchman is out-hitting him this spring, but Rays manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Johnson has the edge for the first base job.

Dan Johnson went 0-for-3 against the Blue Jays on Sunday, dropping his spring average to .160.

After hitting .198 in 111 at-bats last season, Johnson isn't doing anything this spring to suggest he could emerge as a solid sleeper in deeper mixed leagues. He should remain quarantined to AL-only formats.

Dan Johnson tripled, doubled and plate two runs Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Johnson might top the Rays' depth chart at first base, but how much playing time he gets will hinge on how manager John Maddon opts to employ Ben Zobrist. If Johnson turns in a big spring, then Zobrist could see more time in right field and at second base initially.

The St. Petersburg Times' Marc Topkin considers Dan Johnson the favorite for the Rays' first base job even after the acquisition of Casey Kotchman.

Though he batted just .198, Johnson had a respectable .343 OBP and slugged seven homers over 111 at-bats for the Rays in 2010. He also clubbed 30 dingers in just 340 at-bats at Triple-A. Though Kotchman is better with the glove, Johnson certainly has more upside with the bat, so fantasy owners will be hoping he wins the job. If he does, Kotchman could start the season in the minors.

During an appearance on 620-AM WDAE in Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said that the club is prepared to have Dan Johnson open the season as the first baseman.

"Right now, (Dan) Johnson would play first," said Freidman. "He's someone we feel could hit 20-plus home runs and get on base. We like what he's capable of, and if we ever got to the point where we upgrade that spot, we're in great shape." Johnson, 31, batted just .198 over 111 at-bats last season, but has some power and knows how to take a walk. He's the first baseman on paper right now, but look for the Rays to bring in a low-cost platoon-mate, at the very least.

Rays and DH/1B Dan Johnson avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Johnson, 31, batted .198/.343/.414 with seven home runs, 23 RBI and a 757 OPS over 140 plate appearances with the Rays this past season. It's not clear what role he'll have with the big club next season, but the fan favorite is a useful to have around.

Dan Johnson is the designated hitter for Game 5 of the ALDS against the Rangers on Tuesday night.

That Rays manager Joe Maddon decided to lean righty-heavy against Cliff Lee isn't much of a surprise, but he ultimately opted for Johnson at DH, saving the switch-hitting Willy Aybar on the bench for a late-inning pinch-hitting opportunity. Of course, Rocco Baldelli was the DH against Cliff Lee in Game 1, but he is no longer on the roster.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said that Dan Johnson will likely start at third base on Saturday against right-hander Doug Fister and the Mariners.

Johnson has played a grand total of two innings at third base in the major leagues, but Maddon said he has received good reports about his play there at Triple-A Durham. Sean Rodriguez is filling in for Evan Longoria at the hot corner on Friday night.

Dan Johnson went 2-for-3 with two homers and four RBI to lead the Rays to a 4-3 win over the Yankees on Wednesday night.

Johnson continues to play the role of hero late in games for the Rays. His second homer off Phil Hughes gave the Rays the lead in the seventh inning and they never looked back. The Rays are now a half game clear of the Yankees in the AL East.

Dan Johnson is in the rays lineup today at first base, with Carlos Pena moving to DH.

The Rays need a little punch from DH or first base, and they may just get it from the waiver wire. In the meantime, though, it's interesting to see Johnson in the lineup over Willy Aybar. In OBP leagues, Johnson is still interesting, as he's accrued 14 walks in his first 13 games this year.

Dan Johnson is hitting just .114 for the Rays after going 0-for-4 in Thursday's loss.

Johnson has 14 walks in 12 games, so he's sporting a nice OBP anyway. Still, the Rays aren't likely to give him too much rope now that they have Carlos Pena back.

Dan Johnson is batting out of the leadoff spot against the Tigers on Wednesday.

John Jaso is on the bench for this afternoon's game, forcing Rays manager Joe Maddon to get a little creative. Johnson has 11 walks in his first 29 plate appearances with the Rays this season, so it's not the worst idea.

Dan Johnson was 2-for-2 with a three-run homer, an RBI single and two walks in a loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday.

It was his first home run in the big leagues since September 15, 2008. Johnson will likely share playing time with Ben Zobrist at first base while Carlos Pena is on the disabled list, so he has some fleeting value in AL-only formats.

Rays purchased the contract of 1B Dan Johnson from Triple-A Durham.

It's too bad to see Jeremy Hellickson go so quickly, but Johnson is always a welcome sight for Rays fans. After spending last year in Japan, the 30-year-old slugger was batting .303/.430/.624 with 30 homers, 95 RBI and a 1.053 OPS with Triple-A Durham. He'll provide some further backup for Carlos Pena, who is dealing with an injury to his right foot.

Dan Johnson could help the Rays at some point this season.

Manager Joe Maddon said that Johnson, who is leading the International League with 28 home runs, is "intriguing." The first baseman is certainly killing the ball in his first year back from Japan, but he hasn't been too successful at the big league level since his rookie year back in 2005. Still, he could present an option at DH should the Rays fail to land a hitter at the deadline.