Crisp set to make long-awaited return to A's

Coco Crisp, the A's longtime leadoff hitter, will likely hit second behind Billy Burns when he returns. OAKLAND -- A's outfielder Coco Crisp could be activated as soon as Monday after nursing a neck strain for more than two months.

Just don't look for him in the leadoff spot. Crisp, who has spent the majority of his A's career at the top of the batting order, is likely to hit behind Billy Burns, who has cemented himself as a reliable sparkplug from the No. 1 hole.

"I talked to Coco a little bit about that," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "I do like the dynamic potentially of them two at the top, which means we may look to hit Coco second, and I think that may help him some, too. When Billy's on…