Reds first baseman Joey Votto had knee surgery for a meniscus problem in his left knee just about a month ago. At the time, it was thought he wouldn’t be out for more than three or four weeks, and perhaps as little as two weeks.

That’s not the case; we’re at the four-week mark and Votto is still on the DL, with no rehab assignment in sight. And Votto himself doesn’t know when he’ll be back:

Votto says he won’t return until he’s 100 percent. Admits he was overzealous as he got close. No timetable. #reds

— John Fay (@johnfayman) August 14, 2012

Votto has been replaced at first base primarily by Todd Frazier, although Miguel Cairo has also played there. When Frazier, normally the Reds’ third baseman, moves across the diamond, Scott Rolen or Wilson Valdez fill in at third. Neither Cairo nor Rolen nor Valdez has hit much at all.

When Votto went on the DL, he was having an excellent offensive season; his replacements haven’t hit, but the Reds are 19-8 since Votto last played. File this under the category of “Go figure.”

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