SAN DIEGO – After playing in a few extended spring training games within the past week, Reds top prospect Nick Senzel will make his season debut at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Senzel, who sprained his right ankle sliding into second base at the end of March, started playing in extended spring training games in Arizona on April 15. He played seven innings in games Friday and Saturday, and he homered in a game Wednesday.

“He hasn’t played a full nine (innings) yet, but he should do that Tuesday in Louisville and go from there,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said. “He’s still working his way back, but it’ll be great to see him against Triple-A pitching and start progressing on the field as opposed to rehab.”

Senzel, 23, will continue to play center field as he did in spring training. He was one of the final cuts in big-league camp, impressing evaluators with instincts in the outfield. He was drafted as a third baseman and primarily played second base last year.

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“When you look at it, with spring training and then even up to now, I’m not sure how many full games he actually has in center field,” Krall said. “It’s just keep getting your reps and keep improving. We saw an improvement from the beginning of spring training to the end of spring training and it wasn’t quite ready to be here.

“Let’s just keep doing it, keep playing and keep getting balls in the outfield. The more reps he’ll get, the better he’s going to get.”

Senzel, ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the league by MLB.com, missed the second half of last year with a fractured finger. At Louisville last season, he had a .378 on-base percentage with six homers and 25 RBI in 44 games.

If there was any debate about his service time – the Reds said it didn’t play a role in their decision – it’s no longer a factor because he already missed the first 16 days of the season.

“He needs to keep improving to become the guy we need out there,” Krall said. “We have a lot of faith that he can get to that point. At some point, he’ll get up here and he’s still going to be learning.

“It’s going to be a constant improvement and getting to that level where you’re good enough to put in the big leagues.”

After Senzel makes his debut Tuesday, he's expected to play again Wednesday as he progresses into a regular schedule.

“I think from the very first time we heard about that injury to where he is now, I think it all went a lot faster,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We’re very encouraged by that progress. I know he has to be anxious to start playing.”

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VOTTO OUT AGAIN: Joey Votto sat for the second straight game Sunday with tightness in his back. With the team’s scheduled off-day Monday, Bell thought it was better to let him rest for another day.

“Just made too much sense to not push it today,” Bell said, “and give him an extra day tomorrow and hopefully he’s really feeling good on Tuesday.”

Votto entered Sunday with a .311 on-base percentage and eight extra-base hits in 66 at-bats. He said he felt like his swing was making progress after hitting a leadoff homer against the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

WOOD GOING TO GOODYEAR: Alex Wood threw a 20-pitch bullpen before Saturday’s game at Petco Park without any back issues, throwing all fastballs. Bell said it was a “big step” for the injured left-handed pitcher.

Wood plans to throw another bullpen Tuesday in Arizona featuring all his pitches. If he continues to progress, he could begin a minor league rehab assignment in the second week of May.

“It was definitely a great step in the right direction, for sure,” Wood said. He’s dealt with back spasms throughout the spring but said he usually feels them immediately after throwing.

Wood threw flat-ground pitches Friday. Bell said he was throwing max effort and wanted to throw off a mound immediately afterward.

“He looked really good,” Bell said. “He looked healthy, for sure. It’s been nice having him on the road trip. Hopefully, it was good for him too. I think when you can have a little change of scenery and be around the team, I think it goes a long way.”