A’s outfielder Josh Reddick likely to miss start of season

Oakland Athletics' Josh Reddick waves to a fan during practice prior to a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz. Oakland Athletics' Josh Reddick waves to a fan during practice prior to a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz. Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close A’s outfielder Josh Reddick likely to miss start of season 1 / 10 Back to Gallery

MESA, Ariz. — Josh Reddick will be back on the field in a game Sunday, but it will be in a minor-league game — and the A’s don’t expect their right fielder to be ready for Opening Night.

“My schedule has him not playing with us,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We hope it’s sometime on the first homestand.”

Reddick, who strained his right oblique muscle March 6, is likely to miss the first five games of the season. That means Ben Zobrist probably will be in right field to start the season, with Eric Sogard at second base.

Reddick said he believes he’ll be ready to go by Opening Night, but he understands the reasoning.

Recommended Video:

“At this point, I don’t have a choice, as much as I was hoping I could be ready for Opening Night and feel like I could be,” Reddick said. “It does make sense to take a little more time and take the safe route for a few games, anyway. … I was kind of hurt when it happened but at the same time, I understand why they’re doing it.

“It just stinks to miss five games. The biggest thing is Opening Night. It’s a big night to be a part of, and I’m going to miss it.”

Reddick’s absence also opens a roster spot. Rule 5 player Mark Canha already is considered a lock to make the team, so the additional spot is likely to go to another multi-position player who has fared well this spring, Tyler Ladendorf. He has played everywhere but pitcher, first base and catcher and is hitting .306.

Another potential consideration is outfielder Billy Burns, a September call-up last year who is batting .345 this spring and who would give the A’s a good speed option off the bench. Burns, however, would be much more likely to replace Coco Crisp if Crisp is not back from the elbow soreness that has sidelined him twice this spring.

Ladendorf’s versatility has him pegged for the first roster opening, partly because Zobrist will be moving from second base to the outfield initially.

If Reddick does start the season on the disabled list, it will be his fifth stint on the DL since May 2013. The fact that he is playing in minor-league games is a strong indication he will be on the DL — teams can backdate players who do not appear in big-league exhibition games to Friday (March 27).

Reddick is taking full batting practice and, he said, “It feels great to be back out there.”

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser