6 Billy Hamilton CF

Hamilton is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Hamilton played Friday for the first time since Sept. 6, so manager Bryan Price decided to hold him out Saturday so he would not have to play nine innings back-to-back days immediately. Phillip Ervin will get the start in center field in Hamilton's place.

Hamilton will patrol center field and bat leadoff during Friday's game against the Cardinals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

This marks the first time that Hamilton will be back in action since fracturing his thumb Sept. 6. Although it seemed like Hamilton would miss the rest of the season, or at least be eased back into the swing of things as a pinch runner/hitter, the 27-year-old is set to complete a full-fledged comeback for Friday's series opener. Dating back to the All-Star break, he's slashed .258/.304/.354 with 14 RBI, 28 runs and 20 stolen bases in 51 games. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will be able to join the lineup in an everyday capacity for the rest of the season, and his status should be closely monitored following Friday's affair.

Hamilton is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Hamilton has yet to appear in a game since being brought off the disabled list prior to Wednesday's contest. He's just two weeks removed from fracturing his left thumb, so a return to the starting lineup before the season ends doesn't seem likely, but look for him to serve as a glorified pinch runner down the stretch as he attempts to hold onto the stolen base crown (he has three more swiped bags than Dee Gordon this season). Scott Schebler and Phillip Ervin should see the bulk of starts in center field for the rest of the season.

Hamilton (thumb) was activated from the 10-day DL prior to Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

This move comes as a relative surprise considering Hamilton was expected to miss the rest of the season, but obviously he's recovered enough to the point that the club feels safe adding him back to the active roster. Owners should be wary about Hamilton's usage moving forward though, since it seems likely that he will be fairly limited in the field just two weeks removed from fracturing his left thumb. It remains to be seen how manager Bryan Price will utilize Hamilton for the rest of the 2017 season, although the 27-year-old is in the midst of another typical year, hitting .248/.299/.333 with 37 RBI and 58 stolen bases.

Hamilton was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a fractured left thumb.

This isn't surprising, as the ailment is supposed to keep Hamilton sidelined for most, if not all, of the remainder of the regular season. The Reds are still hopeful he can return before the end of the season, but they aren't expected to rush him back seeing as they won't be vying for a playoff spot down the stretch. Patrick Kivlehan and Phillip Ervin are expected to see the bulk of time in center field while Hamilton is sidelined.