Winker is not starting Thursday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Winker will give way to Phillip Ervin in left field for Thursday's series opener against the Cubs with left-hander Cole Hamels toeing the rubber for Chicago. Look for the outfielder, who is slashing .368/.442/.553 with two home runs and six RBI over his past 15 appearances, to rejoin the lineup against righty Yu Darvish on Friday.

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

EDGE Analysis

Winker started in Monday's series-opening 7-4 victory, even though the Angels deployed a lefty (Patrick Sandoval) as their primary pitcher. Though Winker acquitted himself well in the contest by recording a base hit and a walk in his two plate appearances, he'll retreat to the bench as he usually does versus lefties with another southpaw (Jose Suarez) on the bump for the Angels on Tuesday. Phillip Ervin will spell Winker in left field.

Winker is not starting Saturday against lefty Dallas Keuchel and the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Winker hasn't started against a lefty since late May. The arrangement makes sense, as he has dramatic platoon splits, hitting .177/.287/.250 against lefties over the course of his career and .307/.395/.510 against righties. Phillip Ervin and Aristides Aquino will be the corner outfielders in his absence.

Winker is not starting Thursday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Winker has started the past three games, going 7-for-12 (.583) with a homer and five runs scored, but he'll head to the bench for Thursday's series opener with lefty Max Fried starting for Atlanta. In his place, Aristides Aquino is starting in right field and hitting sixth.

Winker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Rockies, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker started the last four contests and has an .883 OPS over 21 games in July, but he'll take a seat for the series finale. Josh VanMeter will start in left field and bat fifth in his stead.

Winker is not in the lineup Monday against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Winker sits despite righty Chase Anderson starting for the Brewers and despite the fact that he's gone 6-for-16 with four walks over his last four games. Phillip Ervin gets the nod in left field.

Winker is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Winker missed some time earlier in the week due to side tightness, but he returned to the starting lineup Tuesday, going 0-for-3 with a walk. He'll head back to the bench Wednesday as the Reds look to ease him back into action. Derek Dietrich is starting in left field and hitting fifth in his place.

Winker (side) is back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Cubs, batting leadoff.

EDGE Analysis

In this case the best-case scenario occurred with Winker's injury, and he's able to return to the lineup just two days after it occurred.

Winker (side) went 1-for-1 with a single and a run scored in the Reds' 6-3 victory over the Cubs on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Winker came into the game in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter for starting pitcher Luis Castillo. He singled and later scored the go-head run for the Reds. Winker has been dealing with some side tightness since Sunday's game against Colorado, but he passed all pre-game tests prior to Monday's contest, so it would appear as though Winker will be back in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

Winker (side) is available off the bench Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker left Sunday's game in the middle of an at-bat due to side tightness. His absence doesn't appear to be a long one, however, as he passed pre-game tests Monday. Derek Dietrich starts in left field in his absence.