Votto expected to be out 3-4 weeks after knee surgery

[DGullett35]

They said on MLB network Votto was quoted as to saying he will be back just in time for the losing streak to end. So maybe hes already a day late and is back tommorrow?

[kaldaniels]

Our friend John Fay has been banging the drum that Votto would be back for the Pirate series...anyone else notice that tonight he changed his tune, saying he would not be back (in his opinion)?

[CrackerJack]

Our friend John Fay has been banging the drum that Votto would be back for the Pirate series...anyone else notice that tonight he changed his tune, saying he would not be back (in his opinion)?

Figured Votto had another week, at least....?

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Our friend John Fay has been banging the drum that Votto would be back for the Pirate series...anyone else notice that tonight he changed his tune, saying he would not be back (in his opinion)?

Fay is as reliable as Amelia Earhardt's round-the-world flight. He has little-to-no idea what he's talking about. For a beat writer, he is shocklingly disconnected and uninformed.

[DGullett35]

I think Votto will be back by the end of next week. That would put him at about 24 days since the surgery. Maybe next Fri? Hopefully they make sure hes at 100% before even attempting to take the field. The last thing we need is a re-injury situation. Hes already taking swings and grounders. The end of next week sounds about right if all goes well or maybe even before then. I wish we knew for certain.

[GAC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought his DL stint (15 day?) was to end, or the Reds had to make a decision, this past Tuesday? So is he still considered on the DL, or in a sort of limbo?

It's obvious that it's in Votto's ,as well as the Red's, best interest, to wait until he is clearly ready to return before placing him back in the lineup. Certainly don't want him coming back early and running the risk of not only of stirring up inflammation in the joint but potentially straining one of the muscles around the knee which could make matters worse.

[camisadelgolf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought his DL stint (15 day?) was to end, or the Reds had to make a decision, this past Tuesday? So is he still considered on the DL, or in a sort of limbo?

In theory, a player can be on the 15-day disabled list all season.

[Sea Ray]

Fay is as reliable as Amelia Earhardt's round-the-world flight. He has little-to-no idea what he's talking about. For a beat writer, he is shocklingly disconnected and uninformed.

It sounded like from his 2nd inning stint last night on the radio that he wasn't even going to be covering the Reds for this big Pirate series. Go figure...

[Chip R]

Hypothetical question: Do you activate Votto before the Pirates series and use him just as a pinch-hitter?

[redsmetz]

It sounded like from his 2nd inning stint last night on the radio that he wasn't even going to be covering the Reds for this big Pirate series. Go figure...

That's not his fault. It's the joke of a paper he works for that furloughs reporters all the time. Cost saving measure and all that. Not sure if Tom Groeschen will make the trip or if they'll just use the AP copy.

I rag on Fay from time to time too, but he initial reporting on Votto may well have been based on rumblings coming from his quick progress and it's possible the change in the actual schedule may be that the club has decided that they can afford to give him more time to be sure he's 100% instead of rushing him back as the season's cavalry. Only losing one game out of the last 13 can give you that luxury.

[camisadelgolf]

Hypothetical question: Do you activate Votto before the Pirates series and use him just as a pinch-hitter?

No. If Votto aggravates his injury, the Reds brass will never hear the end of it and get blamed for anything involving a losing season or Votto's diminished career. You just can't afford to take that risk unless the Reds' playoff hopes are on the ropes.

[vaticanplum]

Votto's return date still uncertain, but definitely not this weekend.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/...k_cin&c_id=cin

Very smart IMHO. This would be a horrible point in a playoff run to push him when he's not ready, especially when the team seems to be (knock on wood) doing just fine without him.

[Chip R]

No. If Votto aggravates his injury, the Reds brass will never hear the end of it and get blamed for anything involving a losing season or Votto's diminished career. You just can't afford to take that risk unless the Reds' playoff hopes are on the ropes.

Probably not but you can always pinch run for him if he gets on base. Plus, if he's available off the bench, you could always put him in the on-deck circle as a pinch hitting bluff to get the Bucs to waste a pitcher. Everybody talks about how the Reds have no lefty pinch hit options off the bench but this is not only one of the best but possibly the best hitter in baseball who is left handed coming off the bench. Nothing against Xavier Paul but I'd much rather see Votto coming off the bench to pinch hit than him. All Votto has to do is run to 1st base. If he hits a HR, he can jog around easy.

I probably wouldn't do this but it's mighty tempting.

[GAC]

"Votto? We Don't Need No Stinking Votto!"



[Nor obviously Phillips or Ludwick the way the O put up runs in yesterday's game]

A bunch of us will be down there for Saturday's sold out game. Would love to see Joey play, but it's understandable as to why he won't. We can still win this series.... Wandy has been struggling (Friday's pitcher), and since the AS break McDonald, who pitches Saturday, has not been close to the pitcher of the first half.

And then Sunday, Eric "I just got my butt beat 14-4 by the Cubs" Bedard is scheduled.

[Brutus]

"Votto? We Don't Need No Stinking Votto!"



[Nor obviously Phillips or Ludwick the way the O put up runs in yesterday's game]

A bunch of us will be down there for Saturday's sold out game. Would love to see Joey play, but it's understandable as to why he won't. We can still win this series.... Wandy has been struggling (Friday's pitcher), and since the AS break McDonald, who pitches Saturday, has not been close to the pitcher of the first half.

And then Sunday, Eric "I just got my butt beat 14-4 by the Cubs" Bedard is scheduled.

I believe that the Pirates have now changed that to Burnett pitching on Sunday.