The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Hinds made headlines when he homered five times in his first six major-league games, but he went just 1-for-16 with a 5:0 K:BB in four contests since then and had started only one of the last three games. The 23-year-old is clearing out to make room on the roster for the return of TJ Friedl from the injured list.
Hinds is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.
Since opening his big-league career earlier this month with nine extra-base hits and two stolen bases in his first six games, Hinds' sizzling bat has cooled off. In his subsequent three starts, he has gone 1-for-12 with three strikeouts, and the downturn in performance may have already cost him an everyday role. While Hinds should still have a regular spot in the lineup versus lefties while he's up with the big club, he'll take a seat against a right-hander (Reynaldo Lopez) for the second day in a row. Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild and Jake Fraley looks to be the Reds' preferred outfield configuration versus righties at the moment.
Reds' Rece Hinds: Heading to bench for series finale
Rotowire
Hinds is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
After opening his big-league career earlier this month by going 11-for-22 with eight extra-base hits (five home runs, two doubles and one triple) to go with two stolen bases in his first six games, Hinds has predictably cooled down. He went 0-for-4 in the Reds' final contest before the All-Star break and has opened the second half by going 1-for-8 with three strikeouts in the Reds' first two games in Washington. Hinds' hot start will likely give him at least a little more leash in a near-everyday role, but his playing time could drop quickly if the contact issues that were present at each of his stops in the minors begin to crop up more frequently in the majors.
Hinds went 2-for-3 with two home runs, a hit-by-pitch, three RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Marlins.
Hinds' hot streak to begin his big-league career has reached unprecedented proportions. As Mike Petraglia of MLB.com notes, Hinds' homers Saturday were his eighth and ninth extra-base hits, the most by a major leaguer in their first six games since 1901. Further, Hinds became just the second player in big-league history with at least five homers in his first six games. The 23-year-old Hinds has also chipped in a pair of steals since being called up, and while he has struck out seven times, this run should afford him an extended window to show what he can do over a larger sample.
Hinds went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-4 win over the Marlins.
Hinds continued an incredible start to his career, taking Yonny Chirinos deep in the third inning to extend Cincinnati's lead to 7-0. The 23-year-old Hinds is now 9-for-19 with three homers, eight RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases. While his current pace at the plate certainly isn't sustainable, Hinds has earned a regular role with Stuart Fairchild (back), TJ Friedl (hamstring) and Nick Martini (thumb) all on the IL.
