Winker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker seemed to be breaking out of his platoon role earlier this season, but he's been struggling in a major way and this marks his third consecutive absence against a lefty. Joey Votto will DH against Rich Hill while Aristides Aquino, Nick Senzel and Nick Castellanos play the outfield from left to right.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

At one point the hottest hitter in all of Major League Baseball, Winker has cooled in September, hitting .095 in 42 at-bats around a stretch of missed time due to back tightness. He's fallen in the order against righties as a result, and Winker has also sat against the left two lefties the Reds have faced.

Winker isn't starting Saturday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Winker blasted a three-run homer Friday, and Saturday's absence appears to be routine with left-hander Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the White Sox. Tyler Stephenson will serve as the designated hitter.

Winker went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Friday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Winker hit the Reds' fourth homer of the night off Chicago starter Jonathan Stiever and it was a no-doubter, traveling 447 feet. The long ball snapped an 0-for-23 skid at the plate for Winker, who recently missed a stretch of time with back tightness. Overall, he's slashing .263/.381/.556 with 11 homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored and one stolen base.

Winker (back) returns to the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates, batting sixth as the designated hitter.

EDGE Analysis

Winker had been sidelined since leaving Thursday's game against the Cubs with a tight back. His return should be a boost to the Reds' lineup, as he hit a strong .276/.400/.569 with 10 homers in 150 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Winker will test his tight back in a pre-game workout Monday and could be available off the bench for both halves of the day's doubleheader against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker will sit for the fourth straight game in the afternoon contest, and it sounds as though he'll be sitting for the nightcap as well. The fact that he's yet to be placed on the injured list suggests that he could start at some point this week, perhaps quite soon, though a clearer picture of his availability won't come until after he completes his workout.

Winker (back) remains out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker will miss his fourth straight game while he continues to battle tightness in his back. The Reds' decision to resist placing Winker on the injured list up to this point suggests he's viewed as day-to-day, but his ongoing absence may nonetheless prompt risk-averse fantasy managers to avoid using him in weekly lineups. Nick Castellanos will serve as the Reds' designated hitter with Winker out for Game 1 of the twin bill, while Aristedes Aquino picks up a start in right field.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker will be sidelined for the third straight contest as he continues to deal with back tightness. Joey Votto will serve as the designated hitter while Mike Moustakas starts at first base Sunday.

Winker (back) isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Winker will sit out a second straight contest after leaving Thursday's game with back tightness. Aristides Aquino will serve as the designated hitter Saturday.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Winker left Thursday's game against the Cubs with a tight back, and the issue is evidently serious enough for him to miss at least one game. Nick Castellanos will rest his legs as the designated hitter in his absence, with Aristides Aquino starting in right field.