Crisp misses fifth straight game with neck strain

OAKLAND -- Coco Crisp remained out of the A's lineup for the fifth straight game with a neck strain Monday, and he is still considered day to day.

Oakland's center fielder took batting practice Monday in advance of his club's three-game series opener with the White Sox, but was not available off the bench.

The A's may play it safe with Crisp and hold him out of action through Thursday's off-day in advance of a nine-game road trip through Cleveland, Tampa and Toronto.

He's most bothered by the injury when turning his head hitting left-handed.

"It really is a day-to-day proposition," said manager Bob Melvin, "and this is one I don't have a lot of experience with, as far as that whiplash thing."

In Crisp's place, Craig Gentry has started each of the last five games in center field and entered the day 3-for-13 in his last four.