Joey Votto scratched from Reds' lineup Monday

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was scratched from the starting lineup in Monday night's series opener against left-hander Cole Hamels and the Chicago Cubs.

What It Means:

The Reds haven't said why Votto was scratched. It's his second straight absence. Josh VanMeter is covering first base for the Reds on Monday. Phillip Ervin is filling the two-hole.

Votto is batting .268/.359/.423 with 15 homers, 29 doubles, 46 RBI, 5 steals, and 75 runs scored in 566 plate appearances (132 games) this season.