not "pick" the head in the course of making the hit.BOSTON

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Reds Canadian first baseman Joey Votto is recovering from a strained muscle above his left knee and could soon begin a rehabilitation assignment in the minors. Votto, from Toronto, has been on the disabled list since May 21, trying to get rid of inflammation and to strengthen the muscle. He stayed in Cincinnati to get treatment on the leg while the team was on a seven-day trip. He was cleared to take batting practice with the team on Tuesday before the opener of a series against the San Francisco Giants. Rain washed out batting practice on the field, forcing players to hit indoors. Hes also going to take infield practice and run the bases the next few days. If he gets through that without a problem, he will start a rehab assignment. He and the team havent decided how many games hell need before hes ready to return. The Reds have gone 8-8 without him. "I feel really good, like I was before I got hurt earlier on in the season," Votto said. "So if I can get to good place, youre going to see a little bit more of the older version of me -- the younger version of me. Its one of these injuries that take a little bit of time." Votto is the 12th Reds player to go on the disabled list this season. The 2010 National League MVP is batting .257 with six homers and 12 RBIs in 39 games. The Reds are getting closer to having their lineup, rotation and bullpen back to full strength. Relievers Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall opened the season on the DL but have returned. Votto is the only regular position player still missing. Right-handed starter Mat Latos is scheduled to make another rehab start on Wednesday. If that goes well, he could be activated. Latos has been on the disabled list all season recovering from knee surgery and a strained forearm. The Reds opened their series on Tuesday with a 26-29 mark, in fourth place in the NL Central. They trailed Milwaukee by 7 1-2 games. "I think getting Joey back and possibly Mat Latos back in the rotation (soon) is definitely going to be a positive bump, not just for improving the 25-man roster but getting guys enthused that were close to being whole," manager Bryan Price said. "I think wed all be excited to see our club at full strength." Devin Hester Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. Mike Ditka Jersey . -- Tony Finau won the Stonebrae Classic on Sunday for his first Web. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-gale-sayers-jersey . With just under five seconds remaining - the Raptors having clawed back from a 19-point deficit and pulled within one - DeRozan took the handoff from Chuck Hayes. Riley Ridley Jersey . Tepesch, back from the minor leagues, earned his first major league victory in more than 10 months and the Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Wednesday. Mike Singletary Jersey . In a series of tweets, it is explained by the Department of Player Safety that Niederreiter makes full body contact with Burrows and although there is head contact, he does not "pick" the head in the course of making the hit.BOSTON -- Rudy Gay and Tyler Hansbrough both scored 17 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 97-89 preseason victory over Boston on Monday night in Celtics coach Brad Stevens NBA debut. DeMar DeRozan had 13 points and Terrence Ross added 12 for the Raptors. Gerald Wallace led the Celtics with 16 points, and Jared Sullinger had 14 with six rebounds. The 36-year-old Stevens was hired in July after a successful run at Butler University. "Really, really different just because its a 48-minute game, something to get used to because of the timeouts," Stevens said. "Its a little unique and different. Theres eight more minutes (than college) and a lot more possessions because of the 24-second shot clock. Hopefully Ill get used to it in seven (preseason) games, but hopefully it doesnt last much longer than that. But it is different. Its unique." The Celtics had seven new players, mainly due to a blockbuster deal that sent likely future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets in a draft-night deal. GM Danny Ainge wanted to start rebuilding the team before the two became ineffective or retired. Ainge also traded coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers for a first-round draft pick during the off-season. The Raptors also made a big trade during the off-season, sending Andrea Bargnanni to the New York Knicks in early July for three players and three draft picks.dddddddddddd "Turnovers," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of his teams play. "You see we turned it over 25 times. I know its an exhibition game, but weve got to get that way down." The teams will face each other in the season opener in Toronto on Oct. 30. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo is expected to miss at least the seasons first month after undergoing surgery for a torn ligament in his right knee last season. "As a team, I felt like we moved the ball well," said guard Avery Bradley, who will run the team in Rondos absence. The game was tied at 84 midway into the fourth before the Raptors pulled away with an 11-3 run. "At the end of the game when we had a chance to cut into it, I thought we got pretty good looks," Stevens said. "And its the first exhibition game, so well see if those go down as we move forward." Boston trailed 67-58 in the third, but scored 15 of the next 21 points, tying it on Wallaces basket. The Celtics debut under Stevens didnt get off to a good start. They missed their first seven shots from the field and didnt score their first point until Kris Humphries foul-line jumper nearly 4 minutes in. Boston had only six rebounds in the first half. Toronto led 14-2 in the opening 7 minutes. 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