Will Benson
OF CIN
Sat 4/20/24 4:32 PM

Benson is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
With the Angels sending left-hander Patrick Sandoval to the mound Saturday, Bubba Thompson will start in right field and bat ninth. Benson has started in each of the Reds' last five games, going 3-for-17 with five walks and three stolen bases over that span.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sat 4/13/24 11:37 AM

Benson isn't in the Reds' lineup for Saturday's matchup against the White Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Southpaw Garrett Crochet will take the mound for Chicago, forcing the lefty-hitting Benson into the dugout to begin the game. Spencer Steer, Bubba Thompson and Stuart Fairchild will start across the Reds' outfield while Benson rests.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Tue 4/9/24 8:27 AM

Benson started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, a solo home run, a steal and an additional run scored in Monday's 10-8 win over the Brewers.
EDGE Analysis
Benson was originally listed as the starter in right field but was shifted to DH after Jonathan India (leg) was injured during pregame warmups. Benson entered the contest mired in a 2-for-20 (10 strikeouts) slump. Both the homer and steal were Benson's second to go along with six RBI through 10 games.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 4/7/24 12:55 PM

Benson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Benson started the first eight games of the season but will take a seat Sunday while mired in a 2-for-19 slump. Bubba Thompson will start in center field and bat ninth in the series finale versus New York.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Tue 4/2/24 8:18 AM

Benson started in right field and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's 6-3 extra-inning win over the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Benson stole his first base of the season after logging 19 thefts in 2023. Monday's start was notable in that the lefty-hitting Benson has been in the lineup for both games when the Reds have faced a southpaw. He batted .146 with a .400 OPS over 44 plate appearances against left-handers in 2023, but it appears the Reds are trying to make him an everyday player in 2024. Other than Monday's walk, Benson struck out three times and is 1-for-4 against left-handers thus far. He's fanned seven times overall in 17 plate appearances.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Mon 4/1/24 1:10 PM

Benson will start in right field and bat ninth in Monday's game versus the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
The Reds have faced two lefties in the early going and Benson has been the only left-handed batter in the lineup for both of those games. He's been down in the No. 9 spot for both of those tilts, but it's a positive sign that Cincinnati is viewing him as an everyday player, at least while the club contends with some injuries.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 3/31/24 6:41 PM

Benson went 3-for-5 with a double, home run and three RBI in Sunday's victory over the Nationals.
EDGE Analysis
Benson took Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan deep in the ninth inning with a two-run homer to tie the game. He also notched his third double of the season earlier in the game. Benson has started hot out of the gate for the Reds, garnering three straight starts and going 5-for-12 with four extra-base hits. He should maintain a regular lineup spot so long as TJ Friedl (wrist) is out.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Thu 3/28/24 10:33 AM

Benson will start in center field and bat second in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.
EDGE Analysis
Manager David Bell indicated previously that Elly De La Cruz could be in the two hole at the beginning of the season, but it will be Benson there while De La Cruz is down in the six spot. Bell's lineups could be fluid, but if Benson sticks in the second spot against righties it would be a nice boost to his fantasy outlook.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 3/24/24 8:38 AM

Benson started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against Colorado.
EDGE Analysis
Benson's served as the starting center fielder in four of his last six Cactus League outings. The lefty swinger and right-handed batting Stuart Fairchild have rotated there since TJ Friedl sustained a broken wrist. Those two are expected to share center field while Friedl recovers, but it's uncertain if it will be a strict platoon.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 3/17/24 9:56 PM

With TJ Friedl out with a fractured wrist, Benson could get more starts in center field, along with Stuart Fairchild, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Benson and teammate Jake Fraley both should get more playing time not only because of Friedl's injury, but also because of Noelvi Marte's suspension, which presumably frees the DH spot up for either one of them or Jonathan India. Friedl will be sidelined for a minimum of 3-to-4 weeks, after which his wrist will be re-evaluated.