Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto is the latest to find the disabled list

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 17: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds stands on second base during a pitching change in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 17: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds stands on second base during a pitching change in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Joey Votto is the latest member of the Cincinnati Reds to find himself on the disabled list. Votto was plunked in his knee by Ryan Madson on August 4th.

Joey Votto was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Friday with a right knee contusion. Votto suffered the injury during the eighth inning of an August 4th doubleheader against the Washington Nationals. Joey was plunked in the right leg by Nats’ pitcher Ryan Madson.

Votto has started 8 of the last 10 games since being beaned by that 96-MPH heater, but given the way Votto was moving around the basepaths, it’s no surprise that the Reds made the decision to shelve Votto for the next several days. The move to the DL is retroactive to Thursday’s off day.

Joey is being replaced by outfield prospect Aristides Aquino. Aquino, who we highlighted just yesterday, has been playing very well for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos this season. Aquino just set Pensacola’s team record for home runs in a season when he knocked a no-doubter over the left field fence during Sunday’s game for his 18th round-tripper on the season.

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Aquino is an outfielder and is unlikely to fill in for Votto at first base. That duty will likely fall to catcher Curt Casali or utility infielder Brandon Dixon. Surprisingly, however, catcher Tucker Barnhart made the start at first base on Friday against the San Francisco Giants.

Aquino comes in as the No. 16 rated prospect for the Reds this season. Scouts rave about Aquino’s power and arm strength. He may have a difficult time breaking into the lineup and could be more of a right-handed bat off the bench.

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Votto expects to return to the lineup once his stint on the disabled list is over. Votto is just the latest in a long string of injuries that have hit the Cincinnati Reds after the All-Star break. Cincinnati has already lost rookie outfielder Jesse Winker and up-and-coming prospect Nick Senzel for the season. Not to mention, Scott Schebler is still on the DL after crashing into the right-field wall just before the All-Star break in mid-July.