Worth noting

• Reds first baseman Joey Votto hasn't yet decided whether or not he'll play for Canada's team in the World Baseball Classic, but according to his manager, if he does, he wants to have a limited role.

"Joey said if he goes he'd like to DH," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That's a different thing altogether, because no matter what you do, it's hard to simulate standing on your feet for nine innings."

Votto is coming off a couple of knee surgeries last season that forced him to miss 51 games.

• Baker paid Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick a pretty big compliment on Wednesday when discussing what he means to the club.

"He makes our lineup," the manager said.

Ludwick hit .275 in 125 games last year, smacking 26 home runs and driving in 80 runs.

"He's one of our keys," Baker said. "I'm hoping he can play 140 games. That'd be nice."

• Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier were both out of the lineup again Wednesday nursing minor injuries. Bruce has a sore right heel and Frazier has a strained left calf.