Winker, who posted just 118 plate appearances against southpaws in 2021, is slated to see more at-bats against left-handed pitching this season, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The new trade acquisition's stellar .305/.394/.556 slash line for the Reds last season was largely built on the back of right-handed pitching -- Winker posted a .346 average and 1.070 OPS in 367 plate appearances in that split. Meanwhile, the lefty-swinging 28-year-old has just a .188 average and .600 OPS across 306 plate appearances in same-handed matchups, but manager Scott Servais noted he planned to give Winker more opportunities in those scenarios this season than he'd had in Cincinnati.

The Mariners are acquiring Winker and Eugenio Suarez from the Reds on Monday in exchange for Jake Fraley, Justin Dunn and minor-league pitcher Brandon Williamson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker earned an All-Star nod with the Reds last season and finished the campaign with a .305/.393/.556 slash line to go along with 24 home runs, 32 doubles, 77 runs and 71 RBI in 110 games. The 28-year-old is arbitration eligible for 2022 and 2023, so he'll be in Seattle for at least the next two seasons, barring another trade. Winker will step into an everyday role with the Mariners and be a key piece of the lineup.

Winker (ribs) will miss the remainder of the 2021 season, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker resumed rehab drills last weekend after he was placed on the 10-day injured list with an intercostal strain Saturday. However, the 28-year-old won't be rushed back into game action, and manager David Bell said Tuesday that Winker will be sidelined for the final few games of the season. The outfielder appeared in 110 games this year and posted a career-best .950 OPS with 24 homers, 77 runs and 71 RBI.

Winker (intercostal strain) went through a series of agility drills and played catch with a trainer before Friday night's game against the Nats, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "We're starting back to where we were a couple weeks ago," Winker said. "This was the next step."

EDGE Analysis

It's probably too late for Winker to return this season, and if/when the Reds get eliminated by the Cardinals, there's little point in rushing him back.

Winker was placed on the 10-day injured list due to an intercostal strain Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was activated from the injured list Friday after being sidelined with the same issue for around one month. However, he appeared to aggravate the injury on a swing in the team's game Friday night and exited shortly thereafter when he was hit by a pitch in the back. The end result could be a frustrating end to the season for Winker, who has posted an excellent .305/.394/.556 line across 485 plate appearances.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Winker returned from a rib injury Friday but failed to complete a full game before getting hurt again, as he exited after getting hit by a pitch on his back. This latest injury presumably isn't a long-term problem, but it will cost him at least one start. Max Schrock starts in left field Saturday, with Delino DeShields starting in center, the spot Winker occupied in his return to action.

Winker exited Friday's game against the Dodgers after being hit by a pitch in the back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's contest was Winker's first game back since landing on the injured list with a rib injury on Aug. 15. It's unclear how serious the new issue may be, but the fact that he has also dealt with back problems at various points in the campaign raises the level of concern.

The Reds activated Winker (ribs) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

An intercostal strain has sidelined the outfielder since mid-August but he's back to help the Reds battle for a wild-card spot. Slashing .307/.395/.560 with 24 home runs and 71 RBI this season, Winker is undoubtedly one of his team's best hitters and figures to occupy the two-spot in Cincinnati's lineup going forward. He fills the roster spot of Tyler Naquin (ribs), who went on the injured list Friday.

Winker (ribs) will play in another rehab game Thursday and could return as soon as Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker has been out for just over a month while battling an intercostal strain. He's gone 0-for-5 in a pair of rehab games thus far, but the Reds have started losing ground in a very tight playoff race and may decide that he's their best option even if he hasn't quite found his groove yet.

Winker (ribs) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Winker's last game action came nearly a month ago Aug. 15. That suggests he may need more than a game or two before he's ready to return, though the Reds are locked into a very tight playoff race, which could inspire them to bring Winker back as quickly as possible.