Reds' Votto improving but still sidelined

Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said Thursday first baseman Joey Votto would not play in the upcoming series with NL Central rivals Pittsburgh. Votto fielded some ground balls at Great American Ballpark prior to Thursday's day game against San Diego. However, Baker said the physical activity did not mean Votto had fully recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery enough to return to the lineup against the Pirates this weekend. "What weekend?" Baker told reporters. "You've still go to be able to run. He just started playing a little first base. Votto took some batting practice Wednesday and appeared to be moving well on the field Thursday, MLB.com said. Votto underwent surgery July 17 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He last played July 15.