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.

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

EDGE Analysis

Winker's absence was fully expected after he was forced to exit Sunday's loss to the Rockies with an injury to the lower left side of his body. The Reds are planning to send him in for a more thorough examination Monday, which should provide more specificity regarding the injury along with a potential recovery timeline. For now, the team is viewing Winker's injury as a day-to-day concern.

Winker confirmed that his injury was to his lower left side or back, and that he'll be evaluated further Monday to determine whether he needs to go on the IL, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "My lower left back, side area tightened up," Winker said. "I was feeling some tightness in my right rib cage as well."

EDGE Analysis

Winker hasn't had an injury of this nature before. Given that the Reds have no off-days scheduled until July 24, they might be compelled to make a roster move if Winker needs to sit out more than a day or two.

Winker left Sunday's game against the Rockies in the middle of an at-bat after appearing to suffer an oblique or ribcage injury.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was taken out during a 2-2 count and replaced by Sonny Gray as a sacrificial lamb for the remainder of the at-bat. Jose Peraza, who had pinch hit earlier in the inning, took his place in the field.

Winker will sit against lefty Kyle Freeland and the Rockies on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Winker hasn't started against a lefty since late May. Phillip Ervin will start in left field, as he's done against the previous six southpaws the Reds have faced.

Winker went 3-for-3 and scored the game's only run in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Winker hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the first inning and came around to score the only run the Reds would need in a 1-0 win. His three hits were one more than the entire Brewers team could manage. Winker's batting average rose nine points to .257 thanks to his big night, though he's well below the .298 and .299 batting averages he recorded in his first two seasons.