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

[July 17, 2012]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds first baseman Joey Votto will have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, leaving the NL Central leaders without their best hitter for the next three to four weeks.

The 2010 National League MVP hurt the knee while sliding into third base June 29 in San Francisco, but has continued playing. Votto started for the NL in the All-Star game last Tuesday.

A medical exam Monday night detected the tear and Votto will have arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday.

General manager Walt Jocketty said Votto didn't have an MRI earlier because the first baseman didn't think he needed one.

"He didn't request it until then," Jocketty said. "He said it wasn't a problem until the last couple of days."

Votto decided to have the surgery now. Jocketty said it's a simple procedure that takes only 20 to 30 minutes.

"It is in my best interest and in the best interest of the team to do it now so that I can be healthy during the last two months of the pennant race," Votto said in a statement.

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

"We'll see what we can do internally, initially," Jocketty said. "But it's going to be difficult to replace Joey Votto."

He went hitless in his first two games back from the All-Star game then had a single and an RBI double during a 4-2 win over St. Louis on Sunday night that moved the Reds into sole possession of first place.

The Reds didn't immediately make a move to replace him on the roster.

Cincinnati has been in first place for 45 days because of its pitching and the NL's top defense. The Reds have used only five starters, a modern franchise record this deep into the season, and their bullpen is the best in the league.

The offense has struggled, ranking in the middle of the league, and the loss of Votto costs the team its most consistent hitter.

Votto was named MVP after the Reds' run to the NL Central title in 2010, but Cincinnati got swept by Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.

He received a 10-year contract extension before the start of this season that added $225 million to his deal.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

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