Moustakas (groin) is starting at second base and batting third in Friday's intrasquad game.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran infielder missed the past two days of intrasquad action due to some groin tightness, but his quick return to the field indicates it was a minor concern. Moustakas had an .845 OPS and 35 home runs for the Brewers last season, and he's set to start at the keystone for the Reds after signing a four-year, $64 million deal in December.

Moustakas missed Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage due to a tight groin, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moustakas is also expected to sit out Thursday, though the injury isn't considered serious and he likely would have played if it were the regular season. Assuming he's healthy, Moustakas is expected to serve as Cincinnati's primary second baseman during the shortened campaign.

The Reds have been pleased with Moustakas's defense at second base so far, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's made all the plays," manager David Bell said. "He has great hands. He has a strong arm, which you can get away without having a really strong arm at second base. But it does help, especially with the way teams play defense now. A lot of times, he'll be in a nontraditional position."

EDGE Analysis

Bell elaborated that Moustakas's conditioning has improved considerably since spring training in March, and that's helped his range. It's not that second base is alien to Moustakas, but it's clearly not his top position. The Reds have made some defensive concessions to improve their hitting, between adding Moustakas at second base and either Nick Castellanos or Jesse Winker playing in the outfield, with the other at DH.

Moustakas (personal) will lead off and man second base in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moustakas will check back into the Reds' spring lineup for the first time since Feb. 26 after he was away from camp for a few days following the birth of his child over the weekend. With Opening Day still three weeks away, Moustakas has plenty of time to get his normal spring load of at-bats in before he begins his first season as a member of the Reds. Assuming Eugenio Suarez's shoulder injury doesn't prove to be a long-term concern, Moustakas is expected to be a mainstay at second base throughout the season.

Moustakas left camp Friday because his wife is about to give birth, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moustakas will presumably miss a few games to be with his wife and newborn child, but his preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be significantly impacted. He lines up as the Reds' starting second baseman this season, though he could return to his typical position of third base if Eugenio Suarez isn't recovered from his shoulder injury by Opening Day.

If Eugenio Suarez (shoulder) has to miss the beginning of the season, Moustakas could move back over to his original third base slot to start the year, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds have said that Nick Senzel is not a candidate to shift to third base, being in the process of recovering from his own shoulder injury. If Moustakas goes to third base, either Senzel could play second base, or the Reds could go with a platoon involving the likes of Josh VanMeter, Kyle Farmer and/or Alex Blandino.

Moustakas agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with the Reds on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds will get the slugger's age-31 through age-34 seasons, though he hasn't shown any sign of decline so far. He's hit .259/.319/.498 over the last three seasons, averaging 33.7 homers per year over that stretch. He'll get to enjoy another hitter-friendly home park after hitting 35 homers for the Brewers last season. After starting 40 games at second base in 2019, he appears to be in line to remain at the position this season, with Eugenio Suarez occupying the hot corner.

Moustakas declined his mutual option for 2020 and will become a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

This move was expected, especially after Moustakas slugged 35 homers and drove in 87 runs over 143 games last season for the Brewers. There will likely be a high demand for the veteran third baseman on the open market.

Moustakas (elbow) went 1-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Moustakas missed two games with the elbow injury, but he played the whole game at third base Saturday. It's the fourth time in nine years Moustakas has reached 30 doubles in a season. He's added 35 homers, 87 RBI and 80 runs scored across 142 games this year.

Moustakas (elbow) is back in the lineup for Saturday's game against Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Moustakas sat for the last two games with an elbow issue but is ready to go following a brief absence. He'll bat third and play third base Saturday.