Cincinnati Reds keep Joey Votto’s return on hold – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker on Friday, August 31, stated that the club will probably not include the All-Star first baseman Joey Votto in the line-up for the series against the Houston Astros, a day after it was suggested that he will feature in it.
Part of the reason that the Reds want to avoid any rush and therefore a risk, is the instrumentality of the player for the big games. For now, the Reds are way ahead than all their rivals in the Division and seem all set to get into the playoffs.
"I wouldn't rule it out, but I would probably prefer that he didn't, to tell you the truth," said Baker of Votto while speaking about the players prospect to be included in the line-up for the series against the Houston Astros. "We need him really ready when he gets here, in all departments."
Votto had undergone surgery on his left knee on July 17 and a second procedure on August 11 which delayed his return. But everything seemed all set as far as his appearance is concerned for this weekend’s game.
Votto has so far appeared in two rehab games at Dayton. On Friday, in the second of rehab games, he had a walk and a sacrifice fly, remaining 0-for-2 after he had 1-for-3 in the first rehab game.
Reds are not showing any rush, as mentioned earlier, because they are facing a team that cannot possibly pose a substantial challenge to the Reds. Cincinnati will be hard to catch if they sweep the series here, taking their Division lead to 10 games.
The Reds do take Votto’s take on his return. "Joey is a very intelligent, very astute young man that has a pretty good idea of what's going on, especially in his body," Baker said.
Initially, when Votto was out of the line-up, it appeared that the Reds might struggle without their key slugger. But things went well for them, winning 30 of the 44 games that the Reds played without Votto, losing only 14 which spoke greatly about the club’s ability to face pressure if any key player is gone.
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