Votto is back with the club tonight and batting 3rd. Lutz optioned back to AAA. Price didn't exactly give Votto a clean bill of health: "He's better now as opposed to when he went on DL. Won't be 100% until next year. Might need periodic days off for soreness."
He may be in some serious pain, but never in my life have I heard of someone so hampered playing baseball by a "sore" muscle. Whatever happened to old school heat and ice therapy? Is it possible that there is more to this injury than just a sore muscle? Given the Reds medical history and handling of injuries, it wouldn't surprise me.
Either way, it's good to have Joey back.