MESA, Ariz. -- The A’s are still in the decision-making phase of finalizing the roster they’ll carry to Tokyo this week.

One more name was revealed on Sunday, however: lefty Brett Anderson is among the starters who will be making the trip, manager Bob Melvin said. The veteran pitcher will start the second exhibition game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on Monday, March 18.

The A’s plan to go with an all-bullpen approach for the first matchup against the Fighters, ensuring that Oakland's relievers get work in before taking two days off ahead of the two-game Opening Series against the Mariners at the Tokyo Dome.

It’s unclear, though, who will pitch behind Anderson and just how the A’s will go about creating their roster. They can bring 30 players to Tokyo, but the club must limit its roster to 28 for the pair of regular season games and designate 25 as active.

Crisp begins broadcast career

Former A’s fan favorite Coco Crisp made his radio broadcast debut on Sunday afternoon, joining regulars Ken Korach and Vince Cotroneo in the Oakland booth as an analyst for split-squad action against the Giants.

Crisp, who spent parts of six seasons playing with the A's, spent the morning reacquainting himself with a handful of familiar faces.

“Obviously one of my favorites of all-time,” Melvin said. “He was a fan favorite in Oakland for a reason, the way he played, he embraced the fans. He felt like an Oakland guy. It’s great to have him back. I know they’re doing a great job of trying to bring the most important people we’ve had back, and I think recently there’s nobody more important than Coco’s been to the organization, so I’m all for it.”

Crisp is set to be in the booth for 32 more games this season.

“He knows the game,” Melvin said. “That was one of the things, when I had him and I even told him that, 'You’re one of the easiest guys I’ve ever had to manage,' because he understands the game, you know he’s going to be prepared to play, and just let him do his thing.”

Worth noting

Following Sunday's action, the A's optioned right-handers Tanner Anderson, Paul Blackburn and Andrew Triggs to Triple-A. In addition, lefties Kyle Crockett and Wei-Chung Wang, right-hander Brian Schlitter and infielder Sheldon Neuse were reassigned to Minor League camp.

Up next

Anderson is slated to make the start as the A's take on the Rockies at 1:10 p.m. PT on Monday in Cactus League action at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.