Major League Baseball

A's activate Crisp from second stint on DL

Published Jun. 23, 2010 2:09 a.m. ET

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Coco Crisp is back with the Oakland Athletics after his second stint on the disabled list — and he hopes it's to stay this time.

Crisp was activated Tuesday and inserted into the starting lineup for the middle game of an interleague series with the Cincinnati Reds. He was playing center field and batting leadoff.

Crisp had missed all but two games this season after beginning his first year with Oakland on the DL with a broken left pinkie finger. He returned briefly and was sidelined again with a strained rib cage.

He insists all the time on the DL didn't get him down or wear on him at all.

"I'm eager to play. It is what it is,'' he said. "I just roll with the punches. I don't dwell on it too much. There's nothing I can do about it. I enjoy cheerleading. ... I'm happy to be back here. This is where I want to be.''

Crisp, who signed a $5.25 million, one-year contract over the winter, batted .591 with five RBIs in six rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento.

"I don't know if seven days will get me a ring, but hopefully if they win it all I'll get half a ring,'' Crisp joked.

With Crisp back, manager Bob Geren has plenty of outfielders he can use. Rajai Davis had been filling in for Crisp but wasn't in the lineup Tuesday.

"I'm just going to try to put the best lineup out there I can each day,'' Geren said. "I'll try to rest certain guys so they don't get overused and play other guys so they don't get stale. In general, it's a good feeling to have a hard time making your lineup each day.''

The A's designated outfielder Eric Patterson for assignment to make room for Crisp.

Last time Crisp came off the DL, he went to Geren and made his case to return — only to quickly get hurt again. This time, the A's took their time making the move.

"I was hoping to be up here earlier because I felt good,'' Crisp said. "They kept pushing the program. I've been moving forward, it just hasn't been here. We'll see how this stint holds up. Hopefully I can finish the season without any more major injuries.''

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