Votto (quadriceps) has begun taking dry swings and throwing, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. It may not sound like much, but the exercises represent Votto's first baseball-related activity of any kind since he was shut back down with the quad injury in early June. The Reds are sinking fast, and while the team has not given any indication that Votto could be shut down, it may still be an option depending on his progress in the next 10 days or so. Votto, in the first season of a 10-year, $225 million deal, has hit .255/.390/.409 with six homers in 62 games.