Cespedes on track for weekend rehab assignment

ST. PETERSBURG -- Yoenis Cespedes did not take any more swings or hit off a tee Sunday, but it is expected he will do so again on Monday and he will also likely take batting practice while the A's are in Boston.

If all goes well, Cespedes could be sent to Sacramento for a brief Minor League rehab assignment as early as Friday or Saturday and come off the disabled list next Sunday when he is eligible.

"So far, so good," A's manager Bob Melvin declared Sunday. "If all goes well, he'll hit coaches BP in Boston. Once we get him in a live BP situation, we'll see where we stand.

"There's a chance he might need a few at-bats," Melvin added.

This much is certain: The A's need Cespedes, their best hitter, back in the lineup as soon as possible. He is one of those players who makes everyone around him better.

Although Cespedes was only hitting .200 when he injured his hand, the A's had hit 19 home runs in 11 games with him in the lineup. Since Cespedes has been out with an injured hand, they've hit just two.