Reports on Joey Votto, Jay Bruce are good

Any report on the Reds going into this season will include the phrase: "If Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are healthy."

Votto was limited to 62 games by knee and quad injuries and hit a career-low .255. Bruce missed two weeks after knee surgery and hit a career-low .217.

Reds manager Bryan Price said at the Reds Caravan kickoff that strength and conditioning coordinator Sean Marohn has checked on both, and the reports are good.

On Votto: "We have our man in action, Sean Marohn, making the rounds and visiting guys, especially those who finished the season with health issues," Price said. "The last reports when Sean was up in Toronto (to see Votto) earlier this month were very, very good. The strength was outstanding and the stamina was good, the agility. Right now, we're planning to hit the ground running when Joey gets out to Goodyear and we're able to see with our own eyes. But we're confident he's ready to go."

On Bruce: "I think he'd prefer not to be asked about his knee because he feels he's 100 percent," Price said. "It was a part of 2014 and will not be a part of 2015. At this point, it's a non-issue."

How important is having Votto and Bruce healthy and productive? Consider this: Votto's WAR (Wins Above Replacement) went from 6.4 in 2013 to 1.9 in 2014. Bruce's WAR went from 4.9 in 2013 to -1.1 in 2014.

Total the two together and it's a difference of 8.3 in WAR. That's the difference between a 76-86 club (as the Reds were in '14) and an 84-78 club.