Negron is starting in center field in place of Billy Hamilton in Monday's game against the Cubs.

The Cubs have lefty Jon Lester on the mound, so the Reds decided this was a good time to give Hamilton a rest and get Negron some playing time.

The Reds are content to use Negron as their backup to Zack Cozart at shortstop, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This dampens the chances that Ivan DeJesus Jr. or Irving Falu makes the team, and the Reds have already sent down Eugenio Suarez. Negron could get a handful of starts at short in place of Cozart if Cozart gets off to a similarly bad beginning to the season as he did last year.

Negron homered and tripled in Tuesday's spring training game against the Indians.

Negron's strong performance in the majors came out of the blue last year - he far outpaced his minor league numbers. Negron is set to be a utility player for the Reds this season, but if he gets the job, he's a good candidate to fall off last year's pace.

Negron is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

Frazier will slide over the third to fill in for Negron. He's struggled lately, going just 3-for-21 over his past seven appearances, but this appears just to be a regular day off.

Negron is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Negron supplied a single and a stolen base in Saturday's contest, but he'll still sit out for the third time in four games while Todd Frazier moves back over to third base. Frazier should continue to play regularly at first base as long as Joey Votto remains sidelined, but the Reds will likely rotate several players in at third base the rest of the way, limiting Negron's chances of making an impact for fantasy owners.

Negron is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

Todd Frazier will move over to third base with Brayan Pena playing first base. Negron has started three of the last six games, but has gone hitless over his last 13 at-bats.

Negron is out of the lineup Thursday against the Orioles, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Negron posting an 0-for-13 showing over his last four games, manager Bryan Price will look for more offense from the third base spot Thursday. Jack Hannahan will enter the lineup in his place.

Negron is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

Negron has seen some playing time recently with Todd Frazier shifting to first base. Frazier is back at third Saturday, while Brayan Pena enters the lineup at first base and will bat fifth for the Reds.

The Reds have recently moved Todd Frazier to first base more often to accommodate Negron at third. That arrangement played out again Thursday as Negron went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base.

Negron is an older prospect and thus doesn't have much in the way of keeper value, but it might also mean that he was more equipped for the transition to the major leagues once he got the call. He has impressed the team with his approach at the plate and his hustle everywhere. Until Joey Votto returns from the DL, Negron could play 4-to-5 times per week.

The Reds confirmed that Negron will lose playing time now that Brandon Phillips has returned.

Negron will occasionally play third base while Todd Frazier moves over to first base. He probably won't play much in left field, however. "It's not off the table of consideration," manager Bryan Price said. "It's hard to realistically try to force-feed a fourth guy into that mix there to play left."

Negron went 4-for-4 with one RBI on Friday facing the Rockies.

With Brandon Phillips likely returning to action next week, Negron's value is limited at best moving forward. Negron (.292/.333/.492) has certainly done his part in Phillips' absence, giving the Reds a much needed infield spark. He is now 6-for-11 over the last few games and should see a few more starts.

Negron went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox.

Negron seems to have emerged as the Reds' top second baseman in place of Brandon Phillips, beating out an uninteresting group of contenders that also includes Skip Schumaker and Ramon Santiago. Negron has flashed some light power and speed with three homers and two stolen bases in 20 games with the Reds, but his modest minor league resume suggests that might be the extent of his upside.

Negron is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Red Sox.

Negron, who has started the past six games, will receive the day off, while Ramon Santiago shifts over to second base as the Reds face off against Boston starter Joe Kelly. Over his last three games, Negron is 0-for-11 at the dish with three strikeouts.

Negron will bat leadoff Sunday against the Marlins.

With Billy Hamilton out of the lineup, Negron will step in atop the order for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old Negron is batting just .260/.302/.480 through 18 game with the big club this season, but he is 6-for-9 with two homers against southpaws. Lefty Brad Hand is on the hill for Miami.

Negron had a homer, double and a single, knocking in two and scoring three runs in Wednesday's win over the Indians.

Negron now has three homers in 15 games, but he's never hit for much power or let alone average in the minors. He's also already 28 years old, so while this game might end up being a nice memory to look back upon someday, Negron is not a prospect that could blossom into a full-time player.

Negron started Sunday's game against the Marlins at third base, with Todd Frazier moving across the diamond to first base.

The Reds have been mixing and matching with various subs in the lineup thanks to injuries to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. Previously, the Reds had Ramon Santiago in this slot, now they're trying Negron, who was fine after getting banged up earlier in the series against the Marlins.

Negron was a little banged up in Thursday's win over the Marlins while turning a double play in the ninth inning, but remained in the game.

Given Negron's part-time role, we might not know if there's something lingering with him barring a DL trip.

Reds purchased the contract of UTIL Kristopher Negron from Triple-A Louisville.

Negron will add some needed depth and versatility to the Reds' bench with Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, and Billy Hamilton all fighting injuries. Negron last appeared in the majors in 2012. The 28-year-old can play all around the diamond but isn't a great hitter.

Reds re-signed INF/OF Kristopher Negron to a minor league contract.

Negron spent all of 2013 at Triple-A Louisville, batting just .225/.295/.317. He'll be a utilityman again for the Bats.

Reds re-signed INF/OF Kristopher Negron to a minor league contract.

Negron made his MLB debut with the Reds last season as a utility infielder. The 26-year-old posted a weak .628 OPS at the Triple-A level, but has experience at every position other than catcher and first base.