Rehabbing Reds star Joey Votto takes the field for the Dayton Dragons on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Swinger)

Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto began his two-day rehab stint with the Dayton Dragons by going 0-for-1 with a walk and a swinging strikeout Tuesday. He was taken out of the game after five innings, which was planned.

After Votto struck out on a full count in the 4th inning, the next two batters, Yorman Rodriguez and Juan Silva, hit back-to-back home runs. The Dragons beat the West Michigan Whitecaps 9-3.

The 2010 NL MVP is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to return to the big-league club this weekend.

Votto played 171 games with the Dayton Dragons in 2003-04. He batted .231 with 1 HR and 20 RBI in 60 games in 2003, but posted vastly improved numbers when he returned to Dayton the following season (.302, 14 HR, 72 RBI in 111 games). He also played two games with Dayton on a rehab assignment in 2009, going 3-for-7 with a HR and 3 RBI.

Votto and the Dragons face the Great Lakes Loons tonight.