Will Benson - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder faces hitters in simulated game, and rehab assignment could be next

Cincinnati Reds starter Rhett Lowder threw 45 pitches to hitters Wednesday at Citi Field, the next step in his recovery from a right shoulder injury

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Playing time on downturn Benson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Benson will be on the bench for the fourth time in five games, with three of those absences coming against right-handed starting pitchers. At this point, Benson appears to have faded into a reserve role while the Reds have opened up more playing time in the outfield lately for Blake Dunn and Spencer Steer. The decline in opportunities comes while Benson has slashed just .091/.259/.091 with a 37 percent strikeout rate over his last 11 games.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hitting bench in Game 1 Benson isn't in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Impact After going just 1-for-20 over his last 11 games, Benson will pick out a seat on the bench to begin the opening half of Saturday's twin bill. While he rests, JJ Bleday, Dane Myers and Blake Dunn will form the Reds' outfield trio.

MAY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting bench Monday Benson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Benson had been included in the lineup for each of the Reds' last six matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench against Phillies righty Andrew Painter while Cincinnati goes with a starting outfield of JJ Bleday, TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer from left to right. Second baseman Matt McClain will occupy Benson's usual spot at the top of the batting order.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Leads off again Benson batted leadoff for the third time in the last five games and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 10-3 loss to Cleveland.

Impact The struggles of TJ Friedl (.182 average) has forced Cincinnati manager Terry Francona to seek other solutions at leadoff. Either Benson or Dane Myers has hit atop the order the last five games. Benson's .176 doesn't scream leadoff batter, but his ability to get on base (17.4 BB%) makes him a better option than Friedl at this time. Benson has just one hit over his last 19 at-bats.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Occupying leadoff spot Wednesday Benson will start in right field and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact After winning their final two games of the past weekend to bring an end to an eight-game losing streak, the Reds returned to their losing ways in Tuesday's series opener, falling 10-4 to the Nationals. The loss has prompted manager Terry Francona to shake up the lineup, with Benson ascending to the leadoff spot and TJ Friedl dropping to eighth in the batting order. Benson is hitting just .227 in May, but he's drawn six walks on the month to prop his on-base percentage up to .414. Benson will be making his fourth straight start Wednesday and will stick in the lineup over Ke'Bryan Hayes, who brings an elite glove at third base but has been one of the majors' worst-performing regulars in 2026 with a .191 wOBA over 38 games.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Fighting for playing time Benson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 17-7 loss to the Pirates.

Impact Benson homered for the second time in the three games he's played. Once a lineup regular against right-handers, Benson has recently lost opportunities to JJ Bleday, who was called up from the minors last week. At the time when Bleday was add to the roster, Benson had just one RBI and was slashing .176/.333/.265.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Mlodzinski has 10 Ks, Pirates draw 7 consecutive walks in 5-run 2nd inning in 17-7 win over Reds

Carmen Mlodzinski had a career-high 10 strikeouts, Pittsburgh tied the MLB record for consecutive walks in an inning, and the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 17-7

MAY 2 • Associated Press

Goodman hits 2 HRs, Sugano pitches 5 1/3 scoreless innings, Rockies beat Reds 13-2

Hunter Goodman homered twice, Brett Sullivan hit a three-run double, and Tomoyuki Sugano pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings as the Colorado Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 13-2

APRIL 30 • Associated Press

Struggling to keep spot, Reds' Will Benson makes MLB history, scores two runs on zero pitches | Sporting News Cincinnati's outfielder won a job out of spring training, but his early-season struggles could force the front office into making a JJ Bleda...

APRIL 21 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Not starting against righty Benson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Impact Benson will be on the bench for the fourth game in a row, with the Reds having faced three right-handers and one lefty during that stretch. The left-handed-hitting Benson looked as though he might be a candidate to move into a strong-side platoon role after the Reds optioned Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville on Monday, but the newly recalled Rece Hinds may instead get a look as a full-time player in right field.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Pagán has hamstring injury; undergoing further evaluation CINCINNATI -- Closer Emilio Pagán's final pitch in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 2-1 Reds victory over the Giants tied him for the second mo...

APRIL 15 • MLB.COM

Playing time slipping Benson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Impact After beginning the season with starts in Cincinnati's first five games against right-handed pitching, Benson finds himself on the bench Sunday for the fourth time in the past six contests, all of which have been versus righties. Noelvi Marte is starting in right field and batting eighth in the series finale versus the Halos and appears to be the Reds' preferred primary option at the position.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Saturday's lineup Benson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Impact Benson will retreat to the bench Saturday after going 0-for-7 with two walks and four strikeouts over his last four contests. Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte will form Cincinnati's outfield trio while Benson sits.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat Thursday Benson is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.

Impact After starting each of the first five games against righties this season, the left-handed-hitting Benson has now been in the lineup just two times across the Reds' last four tilts versus right-handed pitching. TJ Friedl, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer will form the Reds' outfield trio.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Time share in RF continues Benson started in right field and went 1-for-4 in Monday's 2-0 win over the Marlins.

Impact Benson and Noelvi Marte have alternated starts in right field since Opening Day; neither has started consecutive days. It's worked out that the righty hitting Marte started whenever the Reds faced a lefty, but right field has been a true job share between the two. Benson is batting .238 (5-for-21) with two extra-base hits and one RBI through nine games played.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers run in win Benson started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI in Monday's 2-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Impact Benson delivered the Reds second run in the fourth inning, his first extra-base hit and RBI of the season. He's started two games right field thus far, both against right-handers. Noelvi Marte has started against lefties.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates vs Reds Highlights ⚾️ MLB on FOX

MARCH 31 • FOX SPORTS

Chase Burns notches 1st major league win in Reds' 2-0 victory over Pirates

Chase Burns allowed one hit in five innings for his first major league win, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

MARCH 31 • Associated Press

Getting another start versus righty Benson will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Benson has started in right field both times the Reds have faced a right-hander, while the righty-swinging Noelvi Marte has held down the position against both lefties. Marte is not going to be a strict short-side platoon bat, but Benson looks to have the early leg up on him when it comes to playing time versus righties.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Survives with roster spot Benson is expected to make the Opening Day roster, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Reds announced a slew of roster moves Saturday, and Benson survived the cuts, as both JJ Bleday and Rece Hinds were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. The roster doesn't have to be set until just before Opening Day, so a late waiver claim could bring a change. Benson, who swatted his fifth spring home run Saturday, is batting .250 (10-for-40) with eight walks, eight RBI and 14 runs scored over 16 Cactus League games.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Legs out homer Benson went 1-for-4 with a two-run, inside-the-park home run in Sunday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Benson legged out what looked like a garden-variety double down the line in right field, but he was able to touch all the bases when the ball got behind the outfielder. It was the third home run of the spring for Benson, who is locked in a battle with Rece Hinds and JJ Bleday for a depth spot in the outfield. Reds manager Terry Francona may want an extra left-handed bat, which would eliminate Hinds. All three outfielders have minor-league options remaining.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Angels could exploit Reds crowded roster and trade for this low-risk outfield gamble The Los Angeles Angels could certainly use another center field option and the Cincinnati Reds might have the right guy in outfielder Will B...

FEBRUARY 2 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

Details of Will Benson's $1,725,000 1-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds

Details of Will Benson’s $1,725,000 one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds

JANUARY 9 • Associated Press

Settles with Reds The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.725 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Benson had been arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 27-year-old slashed .226/.273/.435 with 12 long balls over 90 contests for the Reds in 2025. He could open the 2026 season as the Reds' left fielder against right-handed pitching, though he will have competition for playing time.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

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