Good timing for Lux’s best game of the season, what with both Matt McLain and Austin Hays coming off the IL today. Lux will stay in the lineup against righties for now, but he needs to start showing some power; while he raised his average from .216 to .273 tonight, he remained without a homer through 63 plate appearances.

With Spencer Steer (shoulder) still unable to throw and Will Benson sent to Triple-A, it looks like Lux will get the first shot to be the regular left fielder against right-handed pitching and his spot in the middle of the order could make for solid RBI value. That means Jeimer Candelario will also get to be in the starting lineup at third base, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first. The Reds full Opening Day lineup is: TJ Friedl CF, Matt McLain 2B, Elly De La Cruz SS, Gavin Lux LF, Jeimer Candelario 3B, Spencer Steer DH, Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B, Jake Fraley RF, and Jose Trevino C.

Lux started at third base in this one for the Reds with a right-hander on the mound for the Mariners. He tagged M’s ace Logan Gilbert for a solo shot on the first pitch that he saw from him in the second inning, evening the score at 1-1. He has done a nice job in his first spring with the Reds, hitting .270 (10-for-37) with a homer, five RBI and three stolen bases.

Lux smacked a one-out double off of Bryce Miller in the second inning, then swiped third base and scored the Reds’ lone run on an overthrow by M’s catcher Harry Ford. He struck out swinging in his only other plate appearance. So far in Cactus League play, Lux is hitting .226 (7-for-31) with four RBI and three stolen bases. He’s expected to open the season in a strong-side platoon role at third base, making him an intriguing late-round option in deeper mixed leagues outside of the top 300 picks overall.