Reds notes: Clubhouse staff shirt special to Votto

“If you’re on the Reds major-league roster for 10 years and the clubhouse staff likes you, they bestow upon you a shirt,” Votto said. “Bronson Arroyo has one. I have the second.”

This is Votto’s 14th season with the Reds. He became the franchise’s all-time leader in walks (1,211) on Sunday in a 7-3 victory against the White Sox at Great American Ball Park, passing Pete Rose.

Votto said he wears the shirt for every Sunday home game, and if he’s wearing the shirt, he said he helps clean cleats with the clubhouse staff.

“You wear the shirt, you have to do a little bit of work,” Votto said. “I’m so lucky to have such a good staff here that I consider friends. This (shirt) is the sort of thing I would put side by side with my MVP award.”

Roster news: The Reds announced their 40-man player pool for the playoffs, if they reach the postseason, on Monday. Among the names not on the list are former No. 1 picks Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene, who have been training at the alternate site at Prasco Park in Mason.

In addition to the players on the current 28-man roster, these players are in the postseason player pool: relievers R.J. Alaniz, Justin Miller and Tony Santillan; catcher Francisco Pena; infielders Alex Blandino and Matt Davidson; and outfielders Travis Jankowski and Mark Payton.

Four players currently on the injured list are also in the player pool: starting pitchers Sonny Gray, who’s scheduled to come off the injured list Tuesday and start against the Milwaukee Brewers, and Wade Miley; and relievers Jose De Leon and Jesse Biddle.

Power display: Aristides Aquino hit his second home run of the 2020 season on Sunday. His two-run home run in the fifth inning gave the Reds a 7-2 lead after the White Sox had scored two runs in the top of the inning.

A year ago, Aquino hit 19 home runs in 205 at bats. He has two home runs in 35 at-bats this season. He entered the game Sunday in the fourth inning, pinch hitting for Shogo Akiyama with the bases loaded. Aquino grounded out to shortstop to drive in the first run.

Aquino said he can’t control when he plays so he’s focusing on doing what he can to help the team.

“It felt really good,” Aquino said. “I’m very happy to contribute to this team. It was great. I have to just stay mentally ready every game. You don’t know when you’re going to go into the game.”