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Dunn batted leadoff and went 3-for-6 in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Mets.
Dunn was part of a frustrating night for Cincinnati batters, as the team left a season-high 17 runners on base and went 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position. With TJ Friedl having been moved out of the top spot in the order, Dunn has stared four straight games at leadoff and sports a .393 on-base percentage across 56 plate appearances since being called up from Triple-A Louisville.
Dunn was penciled in as the leadoff batter Sunday before weather postponed the game, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Dunn served as the leadoff batter in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, becoming the fifth different Red to hit atop the order since manager Terry Francona pulled the plug on the slumping TJ Friedl. "I don't think we have one right now," Francona said of his leadoff hitter Saturday. Dunn was a key contributor in the win Saturday night and is pushing for a role as the team's primary right fielder. This, after Noelvi Marte, Rece Hinds and Will Benson failed to take hold. Dunn has also played center field, as Friedl has been out of the starting lineup more (seven times) than in it (five) over the last 12 contests.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Takes turn at leadoff
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Dunn batted leadoff and went 2-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis.
After batting seventh in the matinee and going 1-for-3, Dunn played hero in extra innings in the nightcap. He made a sliding catch in the top of the 11th to save a run, and then walked off the Cardinals in the bottom of the inning when his fielder's choice against five infielders plated the winning run. He was getting his first crack at leading off for the Reds, who have been cycling through several players since TJ Friedl was removed from those duties. Prior to Saturday's second game, Matt McLain, Will Benson and JJ Bleday had all been deployed atop the order of late. Dunn has hit safely in six consecutive starts, going 10-for-23 with two extra-base hits and one RBI during that stretch.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Hits in four straight
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Dunn went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Philadelphia.
Dunn typically starts against left-handers, but he got an opportunity against Phillies' right-hander Aaron Nola. He tripled and scored in the fourth inning and then scored a second run after a sixth-inning double. He's hit safely in four consecutive games, going 7-for-14 with five runs scored during the streak. A couple of Cincinnati outfielders -- TJ Friedl and Will Benson -- are slumping through the first two months, which could lead to regular opportunities for Dunn, who is batting .357 (10-for-28) over 11 games since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Homers in loss
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Dunn started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.
Dunn made his first start for the Reds since being called up Sunday, as the right-handed hitter stepped in against Chicago lefty Shota Imanaga. Until Thursday, Dunn was used as a pinch runner in his first three appearances.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Promoted Sunday
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The Reds recalled Dunn from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
The 27-year-old will get his first look in the big leagues this season with Rece Hinds being demoted to Louisville. Dunn has a .151/.298/.256 slash line across 49 career MLB games and isn't likely to see significant playing time while up with the Reds, though he could net some starts versus left-handed pitching.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Falls short of Opening Day roster
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The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.
Dunn entered spring training as one of eight outfielders on the 40-man roster and was one of the lesser-established options at the big-league level, so he needed a big showing in the Cactus League to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day squad. The 27-year-old was unable to deliver, hitting just .136 with five strikeouts in 22 at-bats this spring before the Reds demoted him. He should get the chance to play regularly at Louisville to begin the season.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Back in action Friday
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Dunn (knee) will start in right field and bat out of the leadoff spot for Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Dunn had been sidelined due to a low-grade knee strain, but the 27-year-old has been cleared to return to action Friday and will take Dane Myers' spot in the lineup after Myers was scratched due to an illness. Across 10 spring games, Dunn has gone 3-for-17 with one home run and four RBI as he attempts to make the Reds' Opening Day roster for a second consecutive year.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Sidelined with knee strain
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Reds manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Dunn is day-to-day with a low-grade knee strain, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The injury is expected to keep Dunn out of the Reds' Cactus League lineups for a few days, but the outfielder doesn't appear to be at any major risk of missing the start of the season. The missed game action could prove costly to Dunn in his battle for a reserve job in the Reds' Opening Day outfield, however.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Suffers left knee injury
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Dunn was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against San Francisco due to a hyperextended left knee, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Dunn was removed from Friday's game after sustaining a knee injury. He'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, and the Reds should have an update on his status within the next couple of days. Dunn is competing for an outfield depth spot on Cincinnati's Opening Day roster after doing so in 2025, though he was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in early May and stayed in the minors for the rest of the season.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Exits game with injury
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Dunn was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants with a lower body injury, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Dunn got rolled up on during the game and left the contest with a trainer. Encouragingly, Dunn was able to walk off under his own power. Dunn drew a walk in his lone plate appearance Friday.
The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Dunn appeared in 30 games for the Reds but slashed .150/.320/.233 with one home run, seven RBI, 10 runs scored and an 8:25 BB:K across 75 plate appearances. The Reds recalled Will Benson from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Back to bench Wednesday
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Dunn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at Atlanta.
With injuries mounting for the Reds, Dunn has picked up starts in the outfield in five of the past seven games, but he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. He went 0-for-15 with 10 strikeouts and one walk during that stretch, and he'll now find himself back on the bench Wednesday while recent call-ups Jacob Hurtubise and Rece Hinds flank TJ Friedl in center field. Dunn might be at risk of a demotion if Austin Hays (hamstring) is able to return from the injured list this weekend, though Dunn's spot with the big club would likely be safe if Jake Fraley needs more time to recover from the calf issue that will keep him out of the lineup Wednesday.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Enters for injured teammate
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Dunn entered Monday's game after Tyler Callihan (forearm) was removed and went 0-for-2 in a 4-0 loss to the Mets.
Callihan fractured his forearm crashing into the outfield wall and was removed from the game. Dunn took over in left field, which has been a rotation since Austin Hays (hamstring) landed on the 10-day injured list. Callihan, Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal have taken turns there since Hays' injury.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Out of lineup
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Dunn is not in Cincinnati's starting lineup against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Dunn will sit for the series finale after going 0-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and three strikeouts in the last two games. Gavin Lux, TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley will man the outfield Sunday.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Starts in left field
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Dunn started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 1-0 win over San Francisco.
Dunn served in left field, as Gavin Lux moved to second base after the Reds placed Matt McLain (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list. Lux, who had been filling in for the injured Austin Hays (calf) in left field, is now covering for another injured teammate. Hays is expected to return at some point during Cincinnati's homestand, which begins Friday and runs to the following Thursday. As part of Tuesday's roster moves, the Reds also recalled outfielder Will Benson, a left-handed bat that could also see time in left field.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Difference-maker in win
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Dunn started in right field and went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in Monday's 2-0 win over San Francisco.
Dunn was a late addition to the starting lineup after Jake Fraley was scratched with left side pain. The fill-in outfielder struck out in his first three at-bats, but Fraley's absence turned fortuitous when Dunn drove in the game's only runs in the eighth inning. He's batting just .176 (3-for-17) and struck out eight times to open the season, but Dunn's homered and doubled in his last two outings.
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Reds' Blake Dunn: Back to bench against righty
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Dunn isn't in the lineup Saturday for Cincinnati's matchup versus Milwaukee.
Dunn started each of the Reds' previous two games, as the team faced back-to-back southpaw starters. However, with righty Elvin Rodriguez on the mound for the Brewers on Saturday, Dunn will sit while Jake Fraley starts in right field. Dunn has had a rough beginning to the campaign, going 1-for-10 with no walks and three strikeouts thus far.
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