Votto hasn't yet heard from the Commissioner's Office about a potential suspension, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Votto made contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy in Wednesday's game and expressed contrition for making contact. It's expected that there will be some suspension.

Votto was ejected in the third inning of Wednesday's game for arguing balls and strikes. Votto was ejected while walking back to the dugout, and an uncharacteristic outburst ensued. Per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, Votto made physical contact with umpire Chris Conroy, which may result in further disciplinary action from the league. Brayan Pena replaced him in the game at first base.

Votto will bat third in the order for the fifth time in six games Sunday against the Braves, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Votto had occupied the two-spot for 17 of the Reds' first 18 contests, but that role has now gone to Zach Cozart, who is slashing an impressive .308/.340/538 to start the year. Votto is 7-for-22 at the plate since the move, and if manager Brian Price decides to continue to structure his lineup this way, the 31-year-old could see a few opportunities to knock in some extra runs in 2015.

Votto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers, according to Jamie Ramsey of MLB.com. Votto snapped a four-game hitless streak by going 2-for-4 with a home run in Tuesday's game, but manager Bryan Price still felt it was time to give Votto his first day off of the season. Kristopher Negron will get the start at first base in Votto's place.

Votto had his fourth homer of the year and got on-base three times in the Reds' loss to the Cardinals on Friday. Votto provided almost all of the offense for the Reds, who scored just that one run. Votto has gotten on-base at least once in all 10 games for the Reds this season.

Votto continued his torrid hitting with a pair of home runs and four RBI in the Reds 5-4 win over the Cardinals on Friday night. The two-hole in the lineup seems to be a comfortable spot for the Reds' first sacker who is hitting .412 with three long ones and eight RBI in Cincinnati's first four games - all wins. Now healthy after a lost 2014 season, he has even chipped in a pair of stolen bases, and could be primed for a huge season.

Votto hit a big two-run homer to center field to tie Thursday's game against the Pirates and A.J. Burnett. The homer was Votto's first since last May. That went to center field is encouraging, too - when Votto is going well, he's hitting for power to center and left center.

Votto went 2-for-4 with two line drive singles on Opening Day, batting out of the second spot in the order. We'd like to see Votto in that spot in the order for the majority of the season. Both of his hits helped set up runs, even though he didn't get the RBI associated with those runs.

Reds manager Bryan Price suggested Friday that Votto will open the year as the Reds' No. 2 hitter, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. There had been plenty of speculation that Price would go this route to capitalize on Votto's on-base skills and maximize his at-bats, but Votto had not actually hit second in many spring games recently. Votto is set to bat second Friday for the first time since Mar. 27. Price also suggested Brandon Phillips will bat seventh, meaning Todd Frazier will likely be the No. 3 hitter. Votto has shown little power this spring, with one extra-base hit (a homer) in 47 plate appearances.

The Reds haven't had to make any special arrangements to protect Votto's knee this spring, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. In addition to the quadriceps strain that ruined his 2014 season, Votto previously had issues with his knee. "We haven't had to address his knee," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Since he got back into game activity, we haven't had to talk to him at all about health, so that's been a blessing. He looks really spry and agile out in the field. He's running the bases aggressively. There don't seem to be any limitations at all in his style of play."