Winker went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Batting fifth as the DH, Winker drove in two runs on a single in the first inning and followed up with his first long ball in the fourth. Winker started against opposing lefties on Friday and Saturday (Eric Lauer and Brett Anderson), something he did on only seven occasions last season. He's one of the few Reds batting above .240 and should at least remain a fixture against right-handed pitching.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout in Thursday's 13-0 loss to Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was rung up on a bad called third strike in the sixth inning and it looked like he might have been ejected by the home-plate umpire, but only manager David Bell was tossed from the game. By sticking around, Winker was able to notch his first multi-hit game of the season; he accounted for two of the team's three total hits. We'll see if this showing earns Winker his first start of the season against a lefty, either Friday against Eric Lauer or Saturday against Brett Anderson.

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

EDGE Analysis

Winker will sit for the second time in four days with the Cubs bringing a southpaw (Jon Lester) to the hill. Christian Colon will take over as the Reds' designated hitter in place of Winker, who went 1-for-8 with a walk in the team's season-opening series with the Tigers.

Winker is not in the lineup for Friday's Opening Day game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

With southpaw Matthew Boyd starting for Detroit, the Reds will go with a heavily right-handed lineup, sitting both Winker and Shogo Akiyama, with righties Phillip Ervin and Matt Davidson starting at left field and designated hitter, respectively. Winker owns a career 137 wRC+ against righties compared to a 52 wRC+ against lefties, so expect him to continue to be platooned heavily this season.

Winker spent much of the shutdown in Cincinnati working on improving his footwork, in the hopes of bettering his defensive skills, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I was taking fly balls from DB and I just ran a ton," Winker said. "I think that was the best way to stay in shape for me, personally. Everything else -- throwing and hitting -- I've always trusted that would be there when it's time to go do that. Keeping my body in shape throughout this quarantine was my No. 1 priority."

EDGE Analysis

This is a variation on the "best shape of his life" report, but there's come confirmation from the team that Winker is in better physical shape than he was last season. He'll spend some time in the outfield, and some as the DH.

Winker has another avenue for playing time with the implementation of the universal DH for the 2020 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neither Winker nor Nick Castellanos are considered good defensive outfielders, but both have sufficiently productive bats to try together them in the lineup more often. They are probably the two outfielders most likely to slot in as the DH. Winker still might sit frequently against left-handed pitching, however. In 147 major league plate appearances against lefties, Winker hit .176/.295/.248 with only two homers.

Winker (illness) is batting second as the designated hitter in Friday's Cactus League game against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was expected to serve as the designated hitter for Wednesday's contest before being scratched with the ailment, but he'll slot back into that role for Friday's matchup. Winker had an .830 OPS in 113 games last season and is competing for time in Cincinnati's crowded outfield following the offseason acquisitions of Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama and Travis Jankowski (hamstring).

Winker won't play Wednesday in the Reds' 'B' game against the White Sox due to an illness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Andy Masur of 720 WGN Chicago, Winker had been scheduled to serve as the Reds' designated hitter and leadoff man Wednesday before the ailment thwarted the plan. He'll likely only need a couple days off to recover from the illness.

Winker (wrist) is in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the A's, according to MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Winker has not played since being hit by a pitch on the wrist Sunday, but he is ready to get back on the field after a few days of rest and recovery. Winker will be limited to DH duty Friday, but his presence in the lineup confirms he is not dealing with any sort of serious injury.

Winker said Monday that his wrist felt fine and that his X-rays came back negative, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker exited Sunday's Cactus League game after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist during the first inning, but the injury doesn't appear to be too severe. He had a bruise on his wrist, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to a full workload in the coming days.