Strange-Gordon will spend some time at shortstop this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strange-Gordon joined the Reds as a non-roster invitee Sunday, so he isn't even guaranteed a roster spot. He's been mostly a second baseman for the majority of his career, but he has at least made 13 starts at shortstop over the last four seasons. He'll probably be a utility man if he does make the team, but the Reds' other options at short consist of a rather uninspiring group, including the not yet ready Jose Garcia, Rule 5 pick Kyle Holder and fellow utility man Kyle Farmer, so there's certainly a path to Strange-Gordon receiving regular at-bats.

Strange-Gordon signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old spent the past three years in Seattle but struggled at the plate in 2020 with a .200/.268/.213 slash line in 82 plate appearances, leading to the team declining his option for 2021. Strange-Gordon likely will compete for a utility role in spring training with the Reds.

The Mariners declined Strange-Gordon's contract option Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strange-Gordon played a part-time role for Seattle during the abbreviated 2020 season, and he'll hit free agency after his contract option was declined. The Mariners haven't expressed interest in bringing him back on a revised deal, and he should have to settle for another part-time role after slashing .200/.268/.213 with three RBI and three stolen bases over 33 games in 2020.

Strange-Gordon went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored, a stolen base and a walk in a 12-3 win over the Athletics in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

Strange-Gordon got aboard twice in the third inning. The first time, he singled, stole second and scored on a J.P. Crawford double to tie the game at 1-1. Strange-Gordon added a two-RBI single in his second at-bat of the inning. In the fifth, he walked and scored on a Crawford single. The 32-year-old Strange-Gordon has posted three steals, three RBI and 12 runs scored in 33 games this season in a part-time role.

Strange-Gordon, who went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday, is hitting .357 (5-for-14) over his last seven games.

EDGE Analysis

The playing time is pretty sporadic for the veteran these days, but Strange-Gordon has at least offered serviceable production when in the lineup during recent contests. Even with Shed Long's (lower leg) placement on the injured list, Strange-Gordon is still fighting a relatively uphill battle for opportunities at second base, considering the presence of trade acquisition Ty France and Dylan Moore. However, Sunday marked the 32-year-old's third start over the past week, with manager Scott Servais deploying France at designated hitter and shifting the highly versatile Moore to the outfield.

Gordon will use his full legal surname, Strange-Gordon, going forward, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 10-year veteran elected to go by Strange-Gordon to honor his mother, DeVona Strange, who was killed when he was six years old. Strange-Gordon has been his surname for his whole life, though he'd previously chosen to go by the simplified "Gordon" after an announcer mispronounced his full name in rookie ball.

Gordon, who went 2-for-3 and was caught stealing in his one attempt in an extra-innings win over the Angels on Sunday, is hitting .375 (6-for-16) over his last six games.

EDGE Analysis

As can be expected with Gordon, there are no extra-base hits in that sample, but the fact he's been on base at a much better clip than any other time during the season is certainly reason for optimism. The veteran has raised his average 60 points with that surge, yet his .190/.242/.207 season line (62 plate appearances) still has monumental room for improvement.

Gordon isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Even with right-hander Jordan Lyles on the mound for Texas on Saturday, Gordon will take a seat. Sam Haggerty will take over in left field, batting second.

Gordon is not starting Thursday against the Dodgers, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gordon is sitting for Thursday's series finale with left-hander Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber for the Dodgers. Sam Haggerty is starting in left field and hitting leadoff in his place.

Gordon will start at second base and bat eighth Sunday against the Rockies, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Gordon is filling in for a resting Shed Long in the series finale and starting for the third time in four games overall, the veteran's best path to regular playing time likely comes in the corner outfield, where the Mariners are still waiting for someone to emerge as a viable complement to Kyle Lewis and Dylan Moore. Gordon has mustered a lowly .392 OPS through 29 plate appearances, but that hasn't disqualified him from the mix because his main competition, Tim Lopes and Mallex Smith, have been largely underwhelming. Lopes and Smith carry OPS marks of .653 and .368, respectively, into Sunday's contest.