Reds manager Dusty Baker said he hasn't had any discussions with management since spring training regarding a contract extension. Baker's contract runs out after this season. Owner Bob Castellini has said he wants the 63-year-old to be "a member of our organization for many years to come," though he added that no date has been set for contract talks. The two sides seem likely to address the issue after the season.

Joey Votto (knee) said Tuesday that he doesn't plan to return until he is 100 percent. "I just want to be healthy the next time I go out there," said Votto, who required a second procedure on his left knee on Friday. "I'm very happy the team is playing extremely well, playing better than when I was out there. Maybe they don't want me back in the lineup. The next time I come back, I will be 100 percent ready to play and do everything before I was hurt." The Reds are 19-8 during Votto's absence, but they'll have a better chance of keeping their lead in the National League Central with him in the lineup. Still, it appears unlikely he'll return before the start of September.

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Tom Groeschen reports Joey Votto underwent a "minor procedure" Friday to remove a piece of floating cartilage from his injured left knee. According to Groeschen, the surgery will require an additional 7-10 days of recovery time. Votto was originally expected to miss three to four weeks, but is now looking like a long shot to return this month. While his season isn't in jeopardy, he'll need to make notable progress to be activated before the first half of September.

Though he said he's "moving in the right direction," Joey Votto (knee) admits he's "definitely not sure on a timetable." Reds manager Dusty Baker said Votto was "a little sore" after going through sliding drills. "For a guy that's had knee problems in the past, like me, that was probably the hardest obstacle to overcome," Baker said. "Fear of sliding." Votto is with the Reds on their road trip but doesn't appear close to being activated. He was given a 3-4 week timetable when he had surgery and has missed a little over three weeks to this point. "I'm definitely not sure on a timetable," Votto said. "I'm not doing that to be coy, it's because I genuinely don't know which day. I'm making progress."

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Joey Votto (knee) is unlikely to be activated from the disabled list during the team's road trip. That means we won't see him until August 14, at the earliest. Votto went through another strenuous workout Tuesday and said he's "running right at 100 percent," but Baker wants him to show he can slide without any issues before being activated. "I'm still thinking the same," Baker said. "Just because you've hit and you're moving better . . . He's training hard. He's not too far. I'm just not thinking on this road trip. If you've had a knee injury the one key obstacle you have to overcome is sliding."

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Joey Votto (knee) is running close to full speed. Votto is nearly three weeks removed from having surgery to repair a torn meniscus on his left knee. Fay writes that he did his "most extensive" running and agility drills on Monday, but there's still no clear timetable for his return.

Joey Votto (knee) took grounders on Thursday. Votto, who had surgery for a torn meniscus in mid-July, is quickly getting back into baseball-related workouts. If all continues to go smoothly, he should be activated at some point next week. Cincinnati is 13-3, incredibly, since the All-Star first baseman hit the shelf.

Joey Votto (knee) began light baseball activities Monday at Great American Ballpark. Votto, who underwent left knee surgery in mid-July, played catch and took some throws. He has yet to resume hitting and admitted that he's not yet 100 percent when running. There's no clear timetable for his return, but he figures to make it back later this month if all goes well.

Joey Votto is aiming to resume some baseball-related activities when the Reds arrive home Monday. Votto has done some light running and agility drills, but nothing involving a bat or the basepaths. He's recovering from left knee surgery and is on track to be activated at some point in mid-August. The Reds are an impressive 9-2 so far in his absence.

Reds placed 1B Joey Votto on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 16, with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. Votto underwent successful surgery Tuesday to repair the torn medial meniscus cartilage in his knee. He'll be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, which places his return in mid-to-late August. Todd Frazier figures to see most of the playing time at first base during Votto's absence and is worth owning in deeper mixed fantasy leagues.