Winker exited Friday's win over the Cubs due to back tightness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was replaced by Mark Payton in left field to begin the seventh inning, and manager David Bell revealed after the game that the 27-year-old was dealing with a back issue. However, Bell was hopeful that Winker would be back in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Winker went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Winker led off the game with a solo blast, and he has now homered in three consecutive games. His productive streak extends well beyond that stretch as he also has a 12-game hitting streak, during which he's managed five home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. Among the hottest hitters in the game, Winker has done plenty to solidify his status as the club's leadoff hitter going forward.

Winker went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Monday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was quiet most of the game but came through when it mattered most. He led off the 10th inning by driving a sinker up and away in the zone to the opposite field, giving the Reds a 5-3 lead. It was his second long ball in as many days and his fourth in the last five games. The 27-year-old has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, slashing .382/.432/.691 with five home runs, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored over 17 games to begin the year. He should continue to see everyday reps despite the Reds' crowded outfield group.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Winker went deep off Jack Flaherty to break the shutout in the seventh inning. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games Sunday, collecting six extra-base hits during that span. The lefty slugger owns a terrific .381/.435/.667 slash line with nine extra-base hits in 69 plate appearances this season.

Winker went 2-for-4 with two walks, two home runs, three RBI and two total runs scored in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds let this one slip away and are now back at .500, but Winker did all he could, reaching base four times and homering twice out of the leadoff spot. Winker missed time earlier in the season with calf cramps, but he's now batting .373 with a 1.095 OPS, so there should be no more questions about him possibly splitting time with Tyler Naquin.

Winker went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI versus Cleveland in an extra-inning win Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Winker played a key role in the Reds' comeback victory, rapping a single to bring home Nick Senzel with the tying run in the ninth inning. Winker has reached base in all but one of his nine games this season and is slashing .394/.429/.606 through 35 plate appearances.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Monday's 3-0 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Winker made his return to the lineup Monday after being held out the last two games following an early departure Friday with calf cramps. The 27-year-old launched a two-run homer to straightaway center in the third to get things rolling for the Reds. Winker has had a scorching start to the season, as he's 8-for-16 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and five runs scored. The Reds have a bit of a crowded outfield with Winker, Tyler Naquin, Nick Senzel and Nick Castellanos all readily available, so it may be tough for Winker to find consistent playing time with all four outfielders hitting the ball well to begin the year.

Winker (calf) will bat leadoff and start in left field Monday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Just as manager David Bell suggested would be the case a day earlier, Winker will rejoin the lineup for the series opener in San Francisco after a calf cramp prevented him from playing in the Reds' final two games of the weekend in Arizona. Prior to exiting Friday's contest, Winker had missed six days of action while recovering from an illness, so he'll be making just his fifth start of the season Monday. Tyler Naquin -- who has slugged five home runs and driven in 14 while serving as the primary replacement for Winker -- will take a seat Monday.

Manager David Bell said Winker (calf) will be "fully available" off the bench for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell nearly included Winker in the lineup Sunday, but the outfielder will get another day off for precautionary purposes while he works back from calf cramps. Expect Winker to re-enter the starting nine for Monday's game in San Francisco.

Winker (calf) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old exited Friday's contest with calf cramps and sat out Saturday, and he'll remain on the bench for Sunday's series finale. Tyler Naquin, Nick Senzel and Nick Castellanos will start from left to right in the outfield with Winker again sidelined.