Benson is sent down to Triple-A to make room for Andrew Abbott (shoulder) after Abbott came off the injured list. The 26-year-old outfielder likely will be back as a bench option at some point over the late spring.

Benson provides the Reds with some additional outfield depth with Jake Fraley dealing with a lingering side issue and Gavin Lux potentially moving over to second base with Matt McLain (hamstring) on the injured list.

Benson also struck out twice, but he’s gone 8-for-19 (.421) in four games at Triple-A this season with one home run, seven runs, and three RBI. He also has five strikeouts and no walks. There’s an argument to be made that he would be more useful for the Reds as a backup outfielder than Jacob Hurtubise, but the Reds would probably rather Benson be playing every day for now.

Benson’s departure leaves TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley and Gavin Lux as left-handed outfield options for Cincinnati to open the year. It also seems to signal that Christian Encarnacion-Strand will get an opportunity at DH against left-handed pitching with Lux on the strong side of the platoon. The 26-year-old former top prospect has shown flashes of power-speed combo upside at the highest level, but hasn’t made enough contact to make the leap to impact fantasy contributor. A first-round selection from the 2021 MLB Draft, Petty looked sharp in a handful of Cactus League appearances this spring and could make his big-league debut later this summer, if everything breaks right.