Candelario is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario is off to a dreadful 7-for-46 start at the plate this season, but this will be his first day off. The Reds will roll with Santiago Espinal at third base in Chicago.

Candelario went 0-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario has one hit over the last 18 at-bats, dropping his average to .152 and OPS to .535 for the season. Those are unbecoming numbers for a cleanup hitter. He's part of a big hole in the middle of the Reds' order along with third-place batter Christian Encarnacion-Strand (.154/.417). Candelario is chasing more than normal, as he's swinging at a career-high 36 percent of offerings outside the zone.

Candelario started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, double and run scored in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario, who sustained a sore elbow Thursday, has not missed any time because of it. He started at designated hitter Friday then returned to the field Saturday. Candelario's batting just .200 through 30 at-bats, but he's hit safely in six of eight games played.

Candelario (elbow) will be the designated hitter and bat cleanup in Friday's game versus the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario had to exit Thursday's game with a hyperextended right elbow, but he won't wind up missing any starts. It is possible that the switch hitter will be limited to DH duties for a bit, however, in order to protect the elbow.

Manager David Bell said after Thursday's game against the Phillies that Candelario might just be dealing with a hyperextension of his right elbow, and the third baseman will be evaluated ahead of Friday's game against the Mets, according to Bally Sports Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario felt a stinger during a swing in his final at-bat Thursday. He hit a double on the next pitch but was replaced on defense as the team didn't want him aggravating the injury by throwing. Bell was optimistic the issue would be a minor one for Candelario.

Candelario was removed from Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to an injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario appeared to wince and point at his right elbow after a swing during the top of eighth inning. He was able to finish the at-bat, resulting in a double, but he was replaced on defense when the Reds took the field in the bottom of the frame. Cincinnati's medical staff will take a closer look at him, and more information about his injury should be available after Wednesday's contest.

Candelario started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario, who launched his first spring home run, took awhile to get the bat going, but he now appears locked in. After going 2-for-25 (.080) over his first 10 Cactus League games, Candelario is 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits in his last four appearances. At the time he signed as a free agent, the 30-year-old corner infielder was expected to bounce between first and third base (with occasional starts at DH), but the 80-game suspension handed out to Noelvi Marte means Candelario will primarily handle the hot corner for the first three months of the season.

With Noelvi Marte serving an 80-game suspension to begin the season, Candelario will be the primary third baseman for the first three months of the season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reds manager David Bell repeatedly has stressed that Candelario will play a lot, but this just solidifies what position he'll play, instead of Candelario playing multiple positions to get his time. Jonathan India, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are all also capable of playing third in a pinch.

Candelario is projected as a co-starter at third base along with Noelvi Marte (hamstring), Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario, who signed a three-year contract during the offseason, is expected to play every day, whether that be at corner infield -- he has 79 career starts at first base -- or designated hitter. Marte, an elite prospect who was developed at shortstop, had a strong showing in 35 games for the Reds last season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Candelario will be an everyday player in 2024, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

"Between DH, first base and third base, he's going to be an everyday player," Bell said of Candelario. The skipper will have plenty of mixing and matching to do with the Reds' abundance of infielders, which is going to lead to extra days off for some. It does not sound like Candelario will be one of those guys sitting with regularity, however. Cincinnati inked Candelario to a three-year, $45 million contract in December.