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Athletics to try Coco Crisp in left field

Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

After more than a decade patrolling center field in the major leagues, Coco Crisp will try to adjust to a different position this spring.

Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin told reporters Wednesday that the club will try the 35-year-old in left field in an effort to keep him on the field this season. Although Crisp had some questions when Melvin first approached him earlier this spring about the possibility of changing positions, the veteran outfielder is willing to give it a try.

"There's also a pride factor involved for a guy who is one of the premier center fielders," Melvin added.

Crisp hasn't logged more than 136 games in a season since 2007, battling myriad injuries - both minor and major - that precipitated five trips to the disabled list in the last six years.

Melvin said the decision to try Crisp in left field was aided by the presence of both Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry, two players with considerable experience playing center. Through 13 seasons in the majors, Crisp has managed 27 defensive runs saved over 1,982 innings (218 starts) in left field, though he hasn't played the position since 2012.

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