Dane Myers (shoulder) starts rehab assignment

Myers has mostly been used as a platoon center fielder against left-handers this year, hitting .256/.358/.385 overall and .218/.362/.400 against southpaws. He’ll slide right back into that role.

Myers hurt his shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall during Monday’s game against the Brewers. He’ll be out at least 10 days with the ailment, but how much time he’ll miss is still up in the air. The 30-year-old outfielder has been replaced on the active roster by Ivan Johnson, with Johnson recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Myers was carted off after a frightening collision where he crashed awkwardly into the center-field wall at near full speed while making a sensational over-the-shoulder catch. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Myers returns following a three-game absence due to illness. The 30-year-old is in center field and hitting leadoff against Kansas City lefty Noah Cameron. It’s his first game action since last Friday.

Myers hasn’t come off Cincinnati’s bench since last Friday due to illness. The 30-year-old reserve outfielder is presumably available, if needed, after getting a couple days off to rest and recover. Blake Dunn will continue handling center field and leading off for the Reds.

TJ Friedl is starting in his place against lefty Martín Pérez, with Blake Dunn moving from ninth to leadoff.

Myers’ injury history might make him ill-equipped to be an everyday center fielder for Cincinnati, but he deserves more time at TJ Friedl’s expense. He’s currently sporting a .797 OPS, compared to .528 for Friedl, and he’s the better defender of the two. Nevertheless, he’s started just one game against a right-hander this year, that coming on Apr. 9.

The Reds scored single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth to win 5-4. Myers is hitting .269/.345/.269 in 29 plate appearances while mostly playing against lefties, which made the move to insert him in place of left-hander Will Benson against a right-hander reliever today very interesting. Of course, the Reds wanted contact with the go-ahead run on second, and Myers was the better bet to provide it, which he did with a ducksnort to shallow center. Myers probably deserves to play more at this point, especially since he’s a better defensive center fielder than TJ Friedl.

Myers led off the second inning with a walk and then came around to score the Reds’ first run as Rece Hinds worked a walk with the bases loaded. He then singled in the third inning and ultimately dashed home on a wild pitch. The 30-year-old is making a strong case for a reserve role on the opening day bench, hitting .350 (7-for-20) with a homer and five RBI in Cactus League play.

Myers, who was acquired from the Marlins in late December, is off to a 5-for-11 start as he works to secure a spot in Cincinnati’s outfield as a starter against lefties. He should get the gig, but he does have an option year left if the team wants to send him down.