Votto injured

Reds first baseman Joey Votto exited Saturday’s game vs. the Giants in the fifth inning because of inflammation in his left knee. He was taken out as a precautionary measure.

Facing Barry Zito with one out in the top of the fifth, Votto grounded a slow roller towards third base and was slow getting out of the batter’s box. He jogged to first base as he was thrown out by Pablo Sandoval.

Votto, who was 0-for-3 in the game, was replaced by Miguel Cairo before the bottom of the fifth.

UPDATE:

Votto didn’t believe he was seriously hurt. It originally happened on Friday when he went from first to third base on a hit in the fifth inning.

“Last night sliding into third base, I jammed it a little bit,” Votto said. “Today I tried to play through it and it started acting up.”

Votto wasn’t sure yet about whether he could play on Sunday.

“We’ll have to see,” Votto said . “I certainly didn’t feel good. I don’t see why this should linger. There is nothing structural. It’s an instance where last night it happens sliding sometimes. Today with the short turnaround, it lingered a little bit. I will be fine.”