Joey Votto began a rehab assignment Sunday in Pawtucket as a member of the Louisville Bats and went out on a high note.
The Reds' slugger started 0 for 2 before hitting a single to center field in the top of the seventh inning. That was the first hit of the day for the Triple-A Bats, and it led to Votto's exit as Josh Smith was sent in to run for him.
.@Reds Joey Votto taking BP in Pawtucket. @LouisvilleBats pic.twitter.com/EohbkSXij4
— Matt Andrews (@BatsRadio) June 8, 2014
Whether his next appearance will be for Louisville or Cincinnati remains to be seen. Reds manager Bryan Price stressed yesterday the club will maintain a wait-and-see approach with Votto, who has not played since May 15 because of a strained quadriceps above his left knee.
While he took batting practice and infield practice with the Reds before joining the Bats, Price said a game situation was important for Votto.
"He's going to need to play in a game and play in the neighborhood of five-to-six innings and see how he holds up," Price said. "We want to see the durability because we want to have an understanding as best we can of the durability he has when he gets back."
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