Joey Votto activated off DL, Donald Lutz optioned

After spending nearly of a month on the disabled list, Cincinnati Reds slugger Joey Votto has been activated, with infielder Donald Lutz being optioned to Triple-A to make room.

Votto last saw action on May 15 in a double-header against the Padres. After the set of games, he was surprisingly left at home for the Reds six-game road trip.

More from Cincinnati Reds

• MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
• MLB Rumors: Braves trade package, White Sox-Reds deal, Mets disaster
• Brewers attempt to troll Elly De La Cruz backfires 456 feet
• MLB Rumors: Willson Contreras trade suitor, Reds surprise move, Giolito war
• MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats

It wasn’t until May 21st that Votto was placed on the disable list, and although he was eligible to return last weekend, it wasn’t until after a rehab assignment with the Louisville Bats that Votto was deemed fit to return.

Without their superstar first basemen, the Reds have barely stayed afloat with an 11-12 record and are slowly losing ground in the NL Central, now in 4th place, 8 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers.

With as close to a fully healthy lineup as they’ve had this season, the Reds chances to turn things around appear to be at hand.

On top of getting Votto back, teammate Mat Latos was also with the Louisville Bats on a rehab assignment and, like Votto, left the Triple-A team today. It’s likely Latos will join Votto on the team for his next start, his first action in the Major Leagues this season.

After suffering an injury in spring training and a subsequent setback in his return, Latos has yet to play with the Reds this season.

With both Votto and Latos ready to return, the Reds will be at full power for the first time since season’s beginning and could finally look more like the team that made the playoffs last season and less like the team that is 29-33 and in the bottom half of the NL.