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.
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.
Source: Cincinnati Reds