September Call Ups Didi Gregorius and Joey Votto Get Starts Against Phillies

Johnny Gregorius is searching for a tiki bar in Curacao with the satellite feed from the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast this afternoon.

His younger brother, Mariekson Julius Gregorious, is making his first Major League start for the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon.  The Reds' 22-year old shortstop will bat eighth in the Reds.

The game is not televised in Cincinnati but is broadcast in Philadelphia, so that Johnny Gregorius, 30, can take a vacation day from working for the Immigration Department at the local airport to watch his brother get to play in place of Zack Cozart, who is bothered by a stiff back.

"I'm just relaxing and getting focused for the game," Gregorius said Wednesday morning.  "I just text my brother.  He asked me last night, when I was going to get to play.  I told him I didn't know but (thirdbase coach Mark) Berry just told me I was starting."

Is he nervous?

"Not really to be honest," said Gregorius, who can converse in four languages.  "I'm feeling good. I'm excited.  It's something that I've wanted all my life. I think everyone is happy with the first callup. I've worked a lot on my hitting.  In baseball you have to keep working on things."

Gregorius hit .278 in Pensacola where he started the season. He was promoted to Louisville where he hit .243 with the Bats in 48 games.

"He was hitting real the ball in Double A," Dusty Baker said.  "Then in Triple A, he and (Henry) Rodriguez hit fair. That's how times have changed, you wouldn't get a call up hitting .250 in Triple A.  You wouldn't get a call back.  Didi will be nervous like he should be but not scared."

Joey Votto has been out of the lineup since July 15.  His long awaited return is today, batting third. When Votto was placed on the disabled list the Reds had a one-game lead over Pittsburgh.  The Reds now hold an 8-1/2 game lead and Pittsburgh has fallen 11 games behind.

Brandon Phillips will leadoff.  Chris Heisey will be in centerfield and bat second.Ludwick will hit cleanup. The red hot Jay Bruce will bat fifth.  Todd Frazier will move back to thirdbase and bat sixth.  Dioner Navarro will catch Mike Leake and bat seventh.  Gregorius will hit eighth.   Leake will bat ninth.