Coco Crisp to see specialist about chronic neck problem

The Oakland Athletics face uncertainty over the future of left fielder Coco Crisp, who will visit a neck specialist Thursday about his chronic neck problems, according to multiple media reports.

Multiple media outlets reported that Crisp, who is traveling from Houston to Dallas to see a doctor while the A's head to Tampa, Florida, to open a series against the Rays, could be out for an extended period of time and might need surgery.

"I'll try to come back sometime this year," Crisp told the San Jose Mercury News on Wednesday. "And if not, then next year."

Crisp is batting .044 in 13 games since coming off the disabled list following right elbow surgery. He left the game Tuesday against Houston with neck pain after a hard landing while trying to make a diving catch.

"It's rough to have been battling this since last year," Crisp told the Mercury News. "You want to be healthy. Rehab was the process we went with last year and I was doing OK. Now I'm going out there to see what the next steps are. There is no telling how things are going to play out, whether it's going to need more rehab or something a little more invasive."

Crisp played just 126 games last year because of neck problems, and he has been on the disabled list five times since the start of the 2010 season. The 35-year-old, who was moved from center field to left, is owed $22 million over the next two seasons.

The A's will continue to use Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry in Crisp's absence.