Winker has been on the bench for five straight games while dealing with flu-like symptoms, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old was able to pinch hit Saturday, so the Mets don't seem to be contemplating an IL stint for Winker. He's batting .200 (5-for-25) to begin the season and is still looking for his first home run, but he should return to the strong side of a platoon at DH once healthy.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday will be the fourth straight game Winker has missed following a 5-for-24 start at the plate. All of his reps have been going to Starling Marte, who will work as New York's DH on Saturday while batting fifth.

Winker is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Winker and his career .667 OPS against left-handed pitchers will stay put in the dugout Friday while JP Sears toes the slab for the A's. Starling Marte will fill in as the Mets' designated hitter and bat fourth.

Winker is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

This marks Winker's second straight absence from lineup against a right-handed pitcher. Starling Marte reached base three times and drove in two runs Tuesday and will be rewarded with another start at designated hitter in Wednesday's series finale.

Winker is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Though he typically starts against right-handed pitchers like the Marlins' Connor Gillispie, the left-handed-hitting Winker will check out of the lineup Tuesday to open up the designated-hitter role for Starling Marte. Winker has gotten off to a sluggish start to the season, hitting .208 with three extra-base hits (two triples, one double), four RBI and a 3:7 BB:K over 27 plate appearances.

Winker went 3-for-4 with a double, two triples and two RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Winker's third extra-base hit and second triple of the game was the crucial knock in Saturday's win -- he launched a two-out, two-strike pitch from left-hander Brendon Little off the right-field fence to drive in a pair of runs, tying the game 2-2. Winker's now 5-for-17 (.294) with four RBI to start the year while holding down the strong side of a platoon at DH.

Winker is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's right-hander Kevin Gausman on the hill for Toronto, but the left-handed hitting Winker will yield to righty Starling Marte at designated hitter. Winker is off to a 2-for-13 start at the plate this season for the Mets.

Winker is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Though right-hander Cal Quantrill is on the bump for Miami, the left-handed-hitting Winker will take a seat, despite starting in both of the Mets' previous two matchups with righties. Starling Marte will step in for Winker as the Mets' DH and will handle leadoff duties.

Winker (calf) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Winker has been sidelined since exiting Monday's game early due to calf cramps, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Thursday's contest. The 31-year-old slashed .253/.360/.405 with 14 homers and 58 RBI in 508 regular-season plate appearances last year and has shown no signs of slowing down this spring, maintaining an .805 OPS through 13 Grapefruit League games.

Winker exited Monday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Rays due to a calf cramp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Winker's removal was precautionary, adding that the 31-year-old "should be OK." Winker -- who was retired in his lone plate appearance Monday -- is sporting an .805 OPS this spring and projects to open the season as the Mets' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching.