Votto requests few more spring game at-bats

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Reds first baseman Joey Votto was not part of the travel roster for Tuesday's game against the Royals. Votto wasn't supposed to play in Monday's home game vs. the Mariners, but asked manager Bryan Price to start.

"He wanted a couple of more at-bats," Price said. "We've talked with the core of the veteran players about how we wanted to get out of the box here as far as playing time, and we were going on an every-other-day basis with some of the guys -- [Ryan] Ludwick, [Jay] Bruce, [Todd] Frazier, Joey and the catchers -- and [Votto] wanted to see some more pitches, he wanted a couple of at-bats. It was pretty easy to accommodate the request."

This spring, Votto is batting .200 (2-for-10) with two RBIs.