Reds first baseman Joey Votto is hitting .290/.500/.387 through nine games but has no home runs in his first 44 plate appearances. But he says his knee isn't the problem.
"It's not been a factor," Votto told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm very happy with it. I really haven't taken a swing -- or at least a swing I'm comfortable with -- since last July. ... I feel like I'm steadily moving toward where I was before I was injured."
Votto and the Reds open a series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday.