Joey Votto was asked a question about Jesse Winker's incredible start to the season earlier this week, but he started his answer by talking about Nick Castellanos.
"I don't know if Nick gets as much love as he deserves," Votto said, "but he's been excellent also. I don't know how you hit .370 or .360 and go under the radar."
Castellanos doesn't fly under the radar in the Reds' clubhouse. They've seen all the ways that he can impact a game. His hustle out of the batter's box on a ground ball to the pitcher helped lead to a throwing error in the first inning Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
More:How a talk with Nick Castellanos helped Vladimir Gutierrez pitch well in Reds win
Vladimir Gutierrez credited Castellanos for giving him a confidence boost after he was upset with himself for the run he allowed in the first inning. Then, of course, there is the way Castellanos is hitting, drilling a two-run double in the second inning Wednesday.
"Nick always plays hard," Reds manager David Bell said. "When you can have as many players like that, especially guys that have been around and are core players on your team, I do think that they can set a great example and set an expectation for our team."
Castellanos is hitting an MVP-caliber level and he's shown improvements defensively. The biggest difference in his mind is that he's happier in 2021.
"I don’t know if I’m cut out for 2020 living, man," Castellanos said. “I would say just the enjoyment of things we used to enjoy, something simple like having a buddy from back home being able to come and watch me play. Having my parents come up and watch me play for Opening Day. Just things like that we took for granted from 2019. It got taken away in 2020. It kind of, at least for me, showed me how important those things are to me.”
The thing about Castellanos is that teammates and fans appreciate is his competitive drive. His sole focus is finding ways to win. He's constantly taking early batting practice and continuing work after games.
More:Reds notes: How Joey Votto's return from the IL impacts catcher Tyler Stephenson
"I like to keep on discovering what I’m capable of," Castellanos said. "I don’t have a personality that I’ve got where I wanted because I’m rich. I’ve been fortunate to grow up with money my whole life and I know that’s not the key to happiness. I know that whenever I hang this up, whenever that may be, I don’t want to be telling stories of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. I want to just be happy with what I was able to do."
PITCHING IN MOURNING: Before Amir Garrett threw his first pitch in a relief appearance Tuesday, he wrote "DOZER" with his finger on the back of the mound.
Garrett and his wife, Tausana, adopted Dozer, a pit bull, in Sept. 2015.
"I don't know if it's true that all dogs go to heaven, but I know for sure you will be there," Garrett wrote on his Instagram. "Dozer Garrett, thank you for being the greatest dog to ever walk this planet.
"We will miss you so much. I will miss our walks, well you in your stroller as we push. I will miss the times when you would walk through the whole house to make sure everyone was OK. I will miss you being so entitled to treats every time someone went to the pantry. But most importantly, we will miss you physically being here with us. Rest easy my big 'ol baby."
Dozer and Amir: A love story between a Reds pitcher and his pit bull
THE PUNISHER: Aristides Aquino is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Sunday and odds are high that he will be activated that day.
Aquino was 5-for-15 in his first five rehab games at Triple-A Louisville with two doubles, one homer, seven walks and one strikeout.
"I do think that the day he’s eligible to come off the 60, I think there’s going to be a strong consideration," said Bell, adding that no decision has been finalized.
INJURY UPDATES: Mike Moustakas ran on the field before Wednesday's game, a significant step as he recovers from a heel injury.
More:Sonny Gray expected to miss at least two starts. What it means for the Reds rotation.
"I think he put like 90% on his effort level of running," Bell said. "I just heard that; I didn’t see it. But that’s really encouraging. I still don’t have a date. I held back from asking if he’s going on the road trip. I just kind of want to let it play out, but that was really encouraging to hear. Sounds like it’s getting closer."
Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who is rehabbing at the organization's spring training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, is expected to have a followup MRI before he begins throwing off a mound.
"He’s progressing every day," Bell said. "I would still be really pleased to get him back by the All-Star break. If he happens to come back before that, we can’t wait to get him back."
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