Joey Votto is not in the Cincinnati Reds' starting lineup for the first time since 2016.

The first baseman hadn't missed a game this season and appeared on every occasion in 2017, but won't get the start Thursday when his club hosts the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.

It's still possible Votto could replace someone later in the contest, keeping his consecutive games streak alive.

Votto has been one of baseball's most durable players over the past three seasons, appearing in 478 games since the beginning of 2015.

He's twice played 162 games in a season during his 12-year career and also appeared 161 times for the Reds in 2011.

The five-time All-Star and 2010 NL MVP is hitting .273/.313/.273 through 11 games thus far this year.