John Fay

jfay@enquirer.com

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has played every game since coming off the disabled list on June 10. That indicates two things: a) Votto's knee/quadricep has held up well; and b) the Reds don't have a lot of alternatives.

"It's doing well enough and we haven't had a big regression," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It points to a 16-day stretch without a day off. Joey will get a break. He's playing very well -- the way he runs the bases, defensively, the way he breaks to the ball, getting out of the batter's box.

"That being said, I know he's not 100 percent. He still has some fatigue and tenderness in his knee. It's something he's been able to manage to this point."

Taking Votto out of the lineup means starting Todd Frazier at first base and Ramon Santiago at third. That's a serious offensive downgrade.

Price would also like to get Frazier - who's played all but one game - a day off. That means playing Santiago.

"I could do that," Price said. "But I don't want to."

The Reds don't have a true backup first or third baseman. And it doesn't sound like they'll be getting one any time soon.

Roger Bernadina was designated for assignment Saturday. The Reds are going with an extra pitcher for the time being.

"We're in a situation where we had to have the extra reliever," Price said. "I imagine we'll take this 'til we get to the point where we feel like we need to have the extra position player."

Donald Lutz could fill Bernadina's spot when the Reds need a position player. Lutz can play first. But Price made it sound like it won't be Lutz.

"Who that guy is, I don't know," Price said. "It's somebody that you want to be comfortable on your bench. If it's Lutz, you don't want Lutz to sit on the bench and get the same amount of playing time as Roger was."

Like Jack Hannahan. Hannahan can play first and third, so he could give Votto and Frazier breaks. But Hannahan is on the DL still trying to come back from offseason shoulder surgery.

He is not close to returning.

"He's feeling better," Price said. "He's reinitiated the throwing protocols. He's feeling better. Hopefully, we've turned the corner. But I don't think it's imminent that he'll be going out for a rehab assignment. He's got to build up arm strength.

"That's what makes us whole. If Jack Hannahan's back, that's the team we envisioned out of spring training. He'd be the perfect fit."