Luke

Montz

The move clears the way for Josh Reddick’s return from the disabled list. Montz is hitting .179 (5-for-28) with one home run and five RBI in 13 games with the A’s this season.

Montz will take the spot of the injured Coco Crisp (hamstring) on the active roster. The 29-year-old hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2008 with the Nationals, but he was hitting .283/.406/.679 with five homers and 12 RBI through 15 games this season in Triple-A. He’ll provide bench depth.

Young hasn’t played since he left Monday’s game with a left quad injury, but the A’s apparently think he can avoid the disabled list. Yoenis Cespedes will start in center field Wednesday while Seth Smith plays left and Luke Montz serves as the DH.

Montz appeared in 13 games for the A’s this season, slashing .179/.200/.393 with a homer, five RBI and eight strikeouts in 28 at-bats. Provided he clears waivers, he’ll continue to serve as depth in the minor leagues.

Montz, 30, hit .179 with a .593 OPS in 30 plate appearances this season with Oakland. He is now a free agent.

It’s possible he could see some time in the DH spot or at first base next week when the exhibition games start, but he’s not able to throw full-out from behind the plate yet. Montz re-signed with the A’s on a minor league deal in October and will give them depth at Triple-A.

Montz, 31, was hitting just .167/.270/.333 at Triple-A Pawtucket. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2013.

None of the trio were expected to crack the Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old Montz had a nice spring, hitting .292 (7-for-24) with a pair of homers and five RBI. He could get a look at some point during the 2014 season.

Montz will serve as a backup to Wil Nieves with Josh Bard gone to Colorado as his wife is giving birth. He’ll only be up for a few days.

Montz was only up to back up Wil Nieves while regular backup Josh Bard attended the birth of his child.