Winker hit a solo homer to left field in Saturday's win over the Cardinals, his third homer of the week.

EDGE Analysis

The homer was especially important for the Reds, as it broke up Adam Wainwright's no-hitter in the sixth inning and tied the game, in a game the Reds later won.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run Wednesday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Winker delivered the game-winning run with his second homer of the season in the eighth inning. He's gotten starts in each of the two games that Yasiel Puig has been suspended and gone yard in both after starting the season in a prolonged slump. Despite the promising recent performance, he'll likely end up back in an outfield rotation, splitting time with Matt Kemp and Scott Schebler now that Puig is eligible to return to the lineup.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs in a 14-0 victory against the Marlins on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old had just one hit in 26 at-bats prior to Tuesday, so this production was a sight for sore eyes. Winker has a long way to go to turn things around, but this was a step in the right direction. Winker is 3-for-29 (.103) with a homer, three RBI, and two runs in 10 games this season.

Winker is not in the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Winker is just 1-for-19 so far this season, though he can certainly blame a .067 BABIP for some of his struggles. Matt Kemp starts in left field Saturday and bats cleanup.

Winker went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers to drop to 0-for-13 on the season.

EDGE Analysis

As was the case on Opening Day, Winker hit a couple of rockets that were nonetheless caught. He's been more unlucky than bad, as opposed to teammate Scott Schebler, who has either struck out or feebly into outs so far.

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

EDGE Analysis

Winker will hit the bench for the second time in as many games, with both absences surprisingly coming against right-handed pitchers (Trevor Williams and Zach Davies). The expectation heading into the season was that the lefty-hitting Winker would at least be a full-time regular versus righty pitching, but the back-to-back benchings suddenly makes his role more of a question mark. Matt Kemp will man left field in Winker's stead once again.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was slated to sit out Saturday prior to the game raining out, but the Reds maintained a similar lineup Sunday. Winker is still expected to draw the majority of starts alongside Scott Schebler and Yasiel Puig, though it is a bit surprising to see him out of the lineup against right-handed starter Trevor Williams.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds are opposing a right-handed pitcher (Trevor Williams) in their second game of the season, leaving the lefty-hitting Winker's exclusion from the starting nine somewhat of a surprise. Manager David Bell may just be looking to keep his bench players sharp early in the season, as Matt Kemp draws in for Winker in left field. Winker is still expected to start the overwhelming share of the Reds' games and serve as the team's primary table setter.

Winker will lead off on Opening Day against the Pirates, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker certainly doesn't have the speed of a traditional leadoff man, but he has the on-base skills that fit the modern requirements for the spot, posting a career on-base percentage of .397 through 136 games. He'll be followed by a trio of quality power bats in Joey Votto, Yasiel Puig and Eugenio Suarez, so he could be in line for plenty of runs in the Reds' hitter-friendly home park.

Winker played two innings in center field Saturday and four innings there on Sunday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Winker will still be the starting left fielder, but will also back up Scott Schebler for as long as Nick Senzel is down in the minors. "We need to make sure that we have someone who can play out there," Bell said on Sunday. "Talking to guys that have seen Jesse play out there, he's done it before."

EDGE Analysis

Winker played some center field in the minors at Triple-A Louisville, but he's not especially fleet of foot. But the Reds want to leave Yasiel Puig alone in right field, instead of experimenting with playing him in center.