Joey Votto injury: Still no timetable for Votto’s return
By Hayden Kane
The Cincinnati Reds lingered around the .500 mark with their win-loss record for much of the 2014 season, hoping to position themselves for a run to the postseason.
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For the slightest period of time this summer, it looked like they were going to do exactly that, making the National League Central a four-team race. They did not sustain those winning ways, however, and with a 63-68 record, it looks like the Reds are going to be on the outside looking in.
That creates an interesting decision for them with first baseman Joey Votto as he tries to return from a distal strain of his left quad.
Votto is working his way back, but according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, it does not look like the first baseman is going to be ready anytime soon.
"“I’m taking some dry swings and throwing,” said Votto, who has been limited to 62 games this season because of a distal strain of his left quadriceps. He went on the disabled list for a second time on July 8……Votto can be activated from the 60-day DL as soon as Sept. 4, but there is no timetable for his return."
Through 62 games this season, Votto is batting .255/.390/.409 with six home runs and 23 RBI. That lack of power tends to get the most attention, and while it is generally overblown as the fodder for debates about sabermetrics, it is noteworthy nevertheless.
The Reds love those elite on-base skills, of course, but would also like to see more power considering the fact that Votto plays first base and is playing on a $263 million deal. In order to allow Votto to regain that power, it might make sense for them to have him sit the remainder of an otherwise meaningless season, especially considering the slow progress he has made in his rehab thus far.