Reds 1B Votto demands knee surgery, out 3-4 weeks

Reds very first baseman Joey Votto might have surgical treatment to restore torn cartilage in his left knee, leaving the NL middle leaders without owning their most significant hitter using the up coming three to 4 weeks.

The 2010 nationwide League MVP harm the knee even although sliding into 3rd bottom June 29 in San Francisco, but has ongoing playing. Votto started out using the NL within All-Star fixture last Tuesday.

A health care examination Monday evening detected the tear and Votto might have arthroscopic surgical treatment on Tuesday.

General manager Walt Jocketty stated Votto didn't have an MRI earlier merely since the very first baseman didn't think he required one.

''He didn't ask it until then,'' Jocketty said. ''He stated it wasn't a circumstance until the last few of days.''

Votto determined to possess the surgery. Jocketty stated it's a effortless process that requires only twenty to 30 minutes.

''It is in my most significant attention and within most significant attention within of the set to accomplish it now to ensure which i could possibly be healthful all through the last two weeks within of the pennant race,'' Votto stated in a really statement.

Votto is batting .342 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs. He proficient prospects the NL in doubles, walks, on-base percentage and extra-base hits.

''We'll see what we are able to do internally, initially,'' Jocketty said. ''But it's going to develop to be complicated to replace Joey Votto.''

He went hitless in his very first two fixture titles back again by means of the All-Star fixture then experienced just one and an RBI double all through a 4-2 succeed over St. Louis on Sunday evening that moved the Reds into lone possession of very first place within NL Central.

The Reds didn't immediately create a proceed to replace him inside the roster.

Cincinnati is becoming in very first place for 46 times merely on account of its pitching along using the NL's best defense. The Reds have used only 5 starters, a modern evening business report this deep in to the season, and their bullpen could possibly be one of the most very helpful within league.

The offense has struggled, ranking within center within of the league, along using the burning of Votto fees the set its most steady hitter.

Votto was named MVP pursuing the Reds' run in the direction of the NL middle name in 2010, but Cincinnati obtained swept by Philadelphia within very first round within of the playoffs.

He acquired a 10-year contract extension past to the start of the period of your time that additional $225 million to his deal.

Now, the Reds will locate out just how a fabulous offer he implies in the direction of the franchise. They lost their very first fixture without owning him, 5-3 in the direction of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

''He's an MVP, a Gold Glover. What a fabulous offer more are you currently able to ask in a really guy?'' stated Todd Frazier, who filled in at very first base. ''Injuries are large in baseball. He's obtained that presence. whenever he is out there, he can perform damage.''

Reds starter Bronson Arroyo saw Votto shortly past to the fixture and obtained the bad information directly.

''He looked funny,'' stated Arroyo, who lasted only three innings. ''I said, 'Are you playing?' He said, 'No, I need surgery.' At this time of year, if we are able to sustain stress within another clubs within our division and stay within race - if we are able to environment the storm - he could give us a lift when he arrives back.''

Instead of owning a mainstay at very first bottom along using the No. three area within order, manager Dusty Baker will need to acquire creative. There's no apparent alternative inside the roster or within minors.

Baker's very first inclination was to possess Frazier, who is Scott Rolen's backup at 3rd base, hold out a fabulous offer more at first.

''That's a fabulous possibility,'' Baker said. ''He'll hold out some third, some first. (Miguel Cairo) will hold out some first. He's an exceptional very first baseman. We'll blend and fixture based on offensive and defensive matchups.''

The challenge can be to stay in contention until he gets back.

''We've obtained the guys who can perform it,'' appropriate fielder Jay Bruce said. ''The pressure's on, but we've obtained to actions up. I'm self-confident that people have people guys inside the team.

''Look on the Dodgers. They lost Matt Kemp, but they weathered the storm. It's earlier enough that people are able to environment the storm.''