Joey Votto To Disabled List Firstbase New Reds Question Mark

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Joey Votto was examined on Monday and for the second time this season he was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Sunday, July 6.

"It is probably not just a 10-15 day thing," Bryan Price said. "It is the same injury that was exacerbated. Our plan of attack is to have him back before the season is out."

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Brayan Pena is back from paternity leave and the Reds will keep Tucker Barnhart with them for the time being.

The Reds will explore other options such as bringing in a true firstbaseman from the minor leagues, Donald Lutz or Neftali Soto.  They may explore trading for one before the July 31 trading deadline.

"Joey's our only true firstbaseman," Price said.  "Frazier played there some. Pena doesn't have a lot of experience but has.  You might see some outfielders take some groundballs.  Luddy (Ryan Ludwick) has never played it but you might see him take some.  It does give me the opportunity to get some of these other guys into the lineup.  That is something I have found hard to do.  I'd like to get (Chris) Heisey in there more often."

The position may not require as much athletic skills as some others but it is an important position.

"People say firstbasemen are a dime a dozen until you get one that can't catch the ball or be in position for a cutoff.  They are involved in almost every play," Price said.

Having Barnhart around will be temporary.

"We want Tucker to continue to develop," Price said. "We don't want him to sit for seven days.  We want to make sure Pena is feeling good."

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Pena was hurting a little with nagging injuries when he left for the birth of his child.

Lutz is hitting .220 at Triple A Louisville but Soto is hitting "the cover off the ball" according to Price. Lutz has three home runs and 17 RBI.  Soto is hitting .336 with two home runs and 16 RBI.

"We want Lutz to do more," Price said.