"Designated hitter Jack Cust was out of the A's lineup Wednesday for the fifth time in six games, though manager Bob Geren hasn't indicated Cust is an odd man out in the DH/outfield rotation.

With Coco Crisp back from the disabled list and playing center field, there's less playing time to go around. Because right-handed hitters had fared better against Cincinnati right-hander Johnny Cueto, Geren went with Conor Jackson at DH and Rajai Davis in left field for Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Reds.

But Gabe Gross, who hits left-handed, got the nod in right field over Cust. Geren also went with Gross as the designated hitter on Tuesday because Gross had enjoyed prior success against Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who started that game.

Geren has said he'll try to mix and match his outfielders and DH as best he can. Cust is hitting .278, but he has just two homers and 10 RBIs in 97 at-bats since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on May 15."