Crisp returns to lineup as Reddick sits

OAKLAND -- On the same day Coco Crisp's name was back in the A's lineup, Josh Reddick's was missing.

Crisp, who missed two straight games because of a strained left groin, returned to the leadoff spot for the opener of Oakland's three-game set with the visiting Astros on Monday.

But Crisp was joined in the batting order by right fielder Chris Young -- with Michael Taylor manning left in Yoenis Cespedes' stead -- rather than Reddick, who went 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts in the weekend series against Detroit after missing the three-game series in Anaheim with a sprained right wrist.

Both his struggles and his health contributed to Bob Melvin's decision to rest him Monday, the manager said, as did the presence of left-handed starter Erik Bedard on the mound. Reddick is hitting just .108 (4-for-37) on the season.

"The temptation when you come back from an injury is maybe to do too much too early, and he's a guy that wants to be there for his team," Melvin said. "He's maybe swinging out of the zone a little bit right now to do too much, which isn't a little uncommon, and I think that's how it is for a lot of guys that aren't swinging the bat well.

"It might only take one game for him to get a few hits and then that confidence comes back. He's a very good player, so it won't be long before he starts swinging again."