Athletics activate Coco Crisp from disabled list

The Oakland Athletics activated center fielder Coco Crisp from the disabled list on Wednesday, according to the team's official twitter handle.

Crisp, 33, was placed on the DL two weeks ago with a hamstring injury. He only missed the minimum 15 days and did not bother to go on a minor league rehab assignment.

The Athletics will certainly welcome back Crisp to the lineup. The team is still missing outfielders Josh Reddick and Chris Young, who remain on the DL. The team did not have a good leadoff option to replace Crisp and were forced to use a combination of John Jaso and Adam Rosales in the first spot in the order.

The speedy Crisp had been off to a hot start for the Athletics. Prior to his injury he had a .283/.388/.556 batting line with eight stolen bases already. Crisp had stolen at least 32 bags the previous three seasons and led the AL with 49 swipes in 2011. More surprisingly, Crisp showed some pop this season with five home runs in just his first 24 games. He has not been known as a power hitter with a career high of 16 long balls coming way back in 2005.

Crisp's return will allow Yoenis Cespedes to move back to left field with either Brandon Moss or Seth Smith going back to the bench. Tonight, all three are in the lineup with Cespedes playing DH for the second time in 2013.