Votto doesn't let sore knee slow him

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By Josh Katzowitz / Special to MLB.com

04/12/09 1:57 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- A day after sliding hard into home plate and limping off the field as a result, Reds first baseman Joey Votto was back in the No. 3 spot in Cincinnati's lineup on Sunday.

Votto was thrown out at the plate by Pirates right fielder Brandon Moss in the fourth inning of Saturday's 10-2 Pittsburgh victory. In the process, he jammed his knee into the bottom of Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit's shoe, tearing his pants.

Votto was a little sore on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to keep him out of the lineup. Had Votto been unable to play, Reds manager Dusty Baker said catcher Ramon Hernandez or utility infielder Paul Janish would have taken his spot.

Baker was more than happy to welcome Votto back into the lineup. Entering Sunday's game vs. Pittsburgh, Votto was hitting a team-best .438, with the only two home runs hit by Cincinnati this season and seven RBIs.

"Votto is a man," Baker said. "That's what a man does: He comes to play."

Josh Katzowitz is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.