With fifth consecutive loss, Cincinnati Reds focus on Joey Votto’s return – MLB News
As the Cincinnati Reds slump continues with their fifth consecutive loss on Thursday, August 9, the team is keeping its fingers crossed for the early return of the All-Star first baseman Joey Votto.
Votto who is in disabled list due to tearing the medial meniscus in his left knee, is out from the line-up since July 16.
The player underwent surgery on July 17 to repair it and since then has been in disabled list. As to when he will return, there is some uncertainty about it. Even though he is with the team during a road trip, it is not certain if he will play this week.
The team manager Dusty Baker spoke at length about it, saying the All-Star and the team are working to address a few things before his formal comeback. Sliding, in particular, is something that Votto needs to work on.
"I know he was a little sore after sliding [Wednesday] and trying to get that muscle memory back as far as sliding," Reds' manager Dusty Baker said before the commencement of the game on Thursday. "He needed a little work on his sliding before he hurt it. We've been working on it."
While Votto did not take much time to start rehabilitation process, it is the sliding that he has to work on. Since the team manager also has its experience being as a player and manager, he knows how to go about it.
Dusty Baker also recalled the times when he had fallen injured once and it was sliding that he found very difficult to manage.
“That was probably the hardest obstacle to overcome was sliding and the fear of sliding, that you might get hurt again," Baker said. "That was the toughest [thing] for me, without a doubt."
All said, the Reds are finding it difficult to maintain the grip they had secured by being at top of the National League Central with most wins. They have now lost the last five games. For a comeback in the league, among other things, Votto will have a key role to play for the Cincinnati Reds.
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