Struggling Votto confident he can turn it around: 'It's just not over'

Joey Votto hasn't looked like himself through 17 games.

The Cincinnati Reds veteran first baseman has been one of the most historically reliable on-base machines throughout his 13-year career. So far, however, he's hitting .228/.323/.386 with one home run and uncharacteristic strikeout (26.2 percent) and walk (10.8 percent) rates.

After a game against the Dodgers in which he went 0-for-3 with his first career pop-out to first base, Votto stuck around the batting cages for nearly an hour, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

"That's a sign that my hitting technique is completely off," Votto said of the pop-up. "There's a reason I just spent an hour hitting after a day game after a night game. It's not good. It's definitely not a good thing. I rarely do that. That's why when I saw it, I was like, 'Ugh, I've got a lot of work to do.' But I'm going to put in the work, I'm confident it's going to come."

The six-time All-Star is aware of his struggles but isn't chalking them up to the fact that he's 35 years old and possibly nearing the end of the line. Votto says he just has to put in the work to fix his technique.

"Well, I do feel like I have some technical adjustments to make. Listen, I would be honest with you, I'm not ready to concede. It's just not over. It's just not over. I'm going to be an entertaining player, an entertaining hitter. It's not gone. I'm sorry, it's just not."

Votto will look to get his season on track as the Reds open a four-game series in San Diego against the Padres before returning home to Cincinnati next week.