3 Reds players in danger of losing their 40-man roster spot to Matt McLain

3. Reds first baseman Joey Votto could lose his 40-man roster spot to Matt McLain.

Settle down. No, the Cincinnati Reds are not going to trade or DFA Joey Votto, though there may be a certain segment of fans who'd prefer to see that. But, the Reds could move Votto from the 10-day to the 60-day IL in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Votto wouldn't technically be losing his 40-man roster spot, but rather, the Reds would using his injury designation in order to add Matt McLain to the roster. The Reds did this on Sunday when Connor Overton and Reiver Sanmartin were added to the 60-day IL in order to call up reinforcements from Triple-A Louisville.

Fans have seen or heard much from Joey Votto since spring training. It looked as though Votto was doing enough to be part of the Opening Day roster, but instead, the Reds sent the former NL MVP to Triple-A Louisville for a rehab assignment to begin the season.

Votto struggled with the Louisville Bats. After hitting a home run in his first at-bat, Votto went 6-for-38 (.159) and struck out 21 times. The Reds removed Votto from the rehab assignment before his 20 days were up, and the six-time All-Star has since been continuing his rehabilitation in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Reds could shift Joey Votto to the 60-day IL, option Kevin Newman or Jose Barrero to Triple-A Louisville, and then select the contract of Matt McLain. Votto's placement on the 60-day IL would be retroactive to the day he was placed on the 10-day IL, so if he's healthy, the team would be able to recall him by the end of the month.

This would be the easiest way to get Matt McLain up to the big leagues without losing a single player from the 40-man roster. Fans will have to tune in later today to see how the Reds roster shakes out.