Votto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Votto gave himself a nice birthday present by extending the Reds' lead with a solo home run to right in the eighth in his first game back since Aug. 23. Votto hasn't hit the ball a ton, evidenced by his .201 batting average, but he's still hitting the ball for power, as he now has 14 home runs in 52 games this season. The 40-year-old should figure to see a near-everyday role at either first base or designated hitter down the final stretch of the year. He's now hitting .201/.302/.471 with 35 RBI, 21 runs and a 20:55 BB:K in 199 plate appearances.

Votto (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting at first base Sunday versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirerreports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto made two appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment and will rejoin Cincinnati's lineup after going 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI with Triple-A Louisville. The veteran first baseman should see plenty of playing time down the stretch, though he could receive regular off days in Cincinnati's crowded and talented infield.

Votto (shoulder) went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Votto began a short rehab assignment with the Bats, which is expected to last one more day before he's activated Sunday.

Cincinnati manager David Bell said Votto (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list as early as Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto is set to begin a minor-league stint Friday with Triple-A Louisville, and the Reds apparently don't think he'll need much time to get back up to speed. The 39-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 24 because of a mild strain in his troublesome left shoulder. He's appeared in only 51 major-league games this season.

Votto (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto began easing back into hitting drills about a week ago and evidently things must have gone well. The Reds have not set a target date for his return to the lineup, as they no doubt want to see how his shoulder responds in game action first. Votto has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a left shoulder strain, which is the same shoulder he had surgically repaired last year.

Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) is "going through his strengthening [program]" and "adding more hitting," but the Reds haven't yet pinpointed a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto was first eligible to return from the IL on Sunday, but since he hasn't yet resumed full baseball activities, any potential return looks as though it'll be at least another week away. Christian Encarnacion-Strand should continue to serve as the Reds' primary first baseman while Votto remains on the shelf with a strained left shoulder.

Votto (shoulder) remains shut down from baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported last week that Votto should be ready to return from his left shoulder soreness by early September, but clearly that's not happening. Expect the Reds to use Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base and Jake Fraley at designated hitter against righties until Votto is ready.

Votto (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list in early September, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto was placed on the injured list Thursday due to left shoulder discomfort, a potential aggravation of the issue that forced him to miss nearly the first three months of the season. However, manager David Bell provided some clarification that Votto is expected to have a short stint on the shelf, with his earliest potential return being Sep. 3.

Cincinnati placed Votto on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left shoulder discomfort.

EDGE Analysis

It's the same shoulder that required a surgical repair last year. Votto got off to an encouraging start when he finally joined the Reds in June, but he is slashing just .167/.262/.296 over his last 61 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3. There is no timetable for his return from this latest setback.

Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup for the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Left-hander Reid Detmers will take the mound for Los Angeles, so Votto will retreat to the bench for the start of Wednesday's nightcap. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will start at first base, and Spencer Steer will serve as the Reds' DH.