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Votto a smiling pin cushion with just an ear infection

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 2:28 AM Friday, May 22, 2009

CINCINNATI — The inner ear infection is mostly gone, replaced by a broad smile that was missing for most of the last 10 days from the face of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto.

The inner ear infection hurt, but Votto is thankful it was only that — just an inner ear infection that made him dizzy, nauseous and made him lose focus.

"With all the tests I went through, it was a pretty scary few days," he said. "A lot of the tests were pretty imposing, tests I'd never experienced before. But to get them all back negative is a big relief. None of the tests were fun and I feel like a pin cushion."

But he is a smiling pin cushion who hopes to be back in the lineup by Sunday — maybe Saturday — after he does all the pregame work tonight before a game against the Cleveland Indians.

"Scared? Of course," he said. "That's everybody's instinct going through different tests and it was such a shock, staying overnight in a hospital (the Scripps Clinic in LaJolla, Calif.). Finally getting the results back gave me not only peace of mind, but a sense of confidence."

Votto said he won't predict his return, that trainer Mark Mann and manager Dusty Baker will let him know, "Although sitting on the bench and seeing the game today (Thursday) — I wanted to get in there, but Mann's common sense kept me out."

Baker plans to let Votto settle in gradually and said, "Hopefully we will have him back in a couple of days. We'll get him some reps (hitting and fielding), get some baseball work in."

Votto left two games on the last six-game trip, once in Arizona and once in San Diego and said, "Up until yesterday (Wednesday) I wasn't feeling very well, but it was a combination of getting over what I had and dealing with the anxieties of the unknown. Being with the club and hanging out with the guys helped, because this is what I love to do."

Asked about reactions from people on the street when he saw them, Votto laughed and said, "While I was sick, I didn't leave my place or I was in the hospital. I didn't spend much time interacting with people because, frankly, I wasn't in the mood."

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