Votto (illness) will likely require a rehab assignment before joining the Reds, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto has been on the COVID-19 injured list since May 3, and manager David Bell said Wednesday that the 38-year-old isn't yet back with the team. Bell hinted at the possibility of Votto missing the team's road trip to Toronto next weekend, so it's possible he'll be unavailable until sometime in late May. Colin Moran should continue to see most of the playing time at first base while Votto is sidelined.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (illness) is still "a couple of days" away from returning from the COVID-19-related injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell said the same is true for Nick Senzel, who remains away from the team along with Votto after both recently tested positive for the virus. Votto looks like he can safely be ruled out for Monday's series opener with the Brewers, which should pave the way for Colin Moran to pick up another start at first base following his career-best six-RBI performance in Sunday's 7-3 win over the PIrates.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Votto (illness) will likely be on the COVID-19 injured list for "more than a couple of days," C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Reds haven't formally said whether Votto tested positive for COVID-19, the skipper's comments would seem to imply that the veteran first baseman is likely experiencing symptoms of the virus and wasn't deactivated earlier this week for precautionary reasons. More clarity on Votto's status could arrive over the weekend, but fantasy managers shouldn't count on him being available for the Reds' four-game home series with Pittsburgh that begins Friday.

Votto was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The length of Votto's expected absence is not yet clear, as the Reds have yet to announce if he's tested positive for the virus himself or is on the injured list for other reasons. The team will hope that his time out of the lineup will allow him to step back and rediscover his old form, as he's hit a miserable .122/.278/.135 through 22 games this season. Colin Moran starts at first base in his absence Tuesday against the Brewers and should see an expanded role until he returns.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a base hit in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

After a hot finish to the 2021 season and a strong spring training, Votto has been one of the bigger fantasy disappointments through the first two weeks of the 2022 campaign. While starting in each of the Reds' first 12 games, Votto is hitting just .119 with a career-low 8.7 percent walk rate and a career-worst 37.5 strikeout rate. Despite Votto's ongoing struggles, the Reds haven't yet considered moving him down in the order; he'll hit cleanup Wednesday for the 13th straight contest.

Votto has been dialed in this spring, hitting .297/.333/.622 with two homers. He's been getting more plate appearances than other regulars on the team, in an attempt to get off to a quick start, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's really committed to getting off to a good start," manager David Bell said. "Just seeing that happen for him, it's just impressive, everything about it."

EDGE Analysis

Despite the teardown of the roster around him, Votto is no less dedicated to his craft. He will get fewer opportunities to compile runs and RBI with presumably lesser players around him in the lineup, however.

Votto went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer in Sunday's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Votto launched a three-run shot off Cody Ponce in the fifth inning, his 36th of the year. The slugging first baseman drilled six long balls with 11 RBI over his final 11 games this season. Votto narrowly missed out on tying his career-high 37 homers set back in 2010 and finished with 99 RBI. He slashed .266/.375/.563 through 533 plate appearances.

Votto isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Votto will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last four games after he went 3-for-8 with two homers and four RBI across his last two appearances. Max Schrock will shift to first base while Jose Barrero starts in center field.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-run homers in Monday's 13-1 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Votto knocked a two-run shot in the first inning and followed up with another two-run homer in the fourth. He entered Monday's game in a 1-for-10 skid but he's now hit five home runs in the last seven games and 35 on the year. Votto improved his OPS to .950 with 96 RBI.

Votto (knee) will start at first base and bat cleanup Monday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Votto draws back into the starting nine after a sore left knee limited him to a bench role in the final two games of the Reds' weekend series with the Nationals. Though Cincinnati heads into the final week of the regular season with the faintest of playoff hopes, Votto isn't expected to be shut down, provided his knee doesn't act up again. The 38-year-old has turned in a huge second half for the Reds, batting .280 with 22 home runs, 52 RBI, 43 runs and 47 walks in 64 games.