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Reds hope Votto can return on Friday

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto sat out his second straight game on Wednesday while nursing a right knee contusion.

The team hopes the injury will improve enough that he'll be able to start Friday night when the Reds open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His knee is progressing, but not enough to slot Votto into the lineup against Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets on Wednesday.

"He felt somewhat, a little better yesterday," interim manager Jim Riggleman said, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Today with an off-day tomorrow, I'm thinking (will help). He likes to play. He's not happy about having to take any days off. I'm sure he's going to be pushing it to be in there Friday."

Votto suffered the injury when he was hit on the leg with a 96-mph fastball from Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Madson on Saturday.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Votto played a full game on Monday, going 2-for-4 against the Mets, but has been kept out of the lineup since after limping throughout the 6-4 loss.

The 34-year-old is batting .289/.426/.427 with nine home runs in 112 games this season.

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