Joey Votto To DL, Jay Bruce Reinstated

WASHINGTON- Alright let’s start with the good news, right fielder Jay Bruce is back with the team and on the roster. The bad news is that first baseman Joey Votto is going to take Bruce’s spot on the disabled list, as it was announced

May 3, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) in the on deck circle during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

a few hours before the game in D.C.

The Reds announced that Votto was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a distal quadriceps strain, and Bruce was activated after recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, that he had roughly two weeks ago, simply remarkable how quickly he has recovered, hopefully.

Votto’s DL stint is retroactive to May 16. The four-time All-Star is batting .257 with six home runs and 12 RBIs in 39 games this season.

Bruce had surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee earlier this month. Before Wednesday’s series finale with the Nationals, manager Bryan Price said the outfielder was “very close” to returning.

Less than an hour before the game, the team then announced that Bruce, who’s batting .216 with three home runs in 30 games this season, would be activated.

“He came out great. He feels really, really good,” Price said.

Bruce, who last played on May 4, was not in the starting lineup on this afternoon. The Reds have an off-day Thursday before opening a three-game Memorial weekend series with the St Louis Cardinals in Cincinnati on Friday night.