Via Red Reporter, I saw this story on CBS Sports about Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick declining his $5 million mutual option with the team next season.

Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick will turn down his $5 million mutual option for 2013, but sources say the Reds will talk about a new deal to keep him in Cincinnati after his big season in 2012.

It’s not a big surprise. Ludwick put up some excellent numbers with the Reds, coming to life while Joey Votto was out. He ended the season with a .275 batting average, a .346 ob-base percentage, and a .531 slugging percentage. It was his best year since 2008 when he was an All Star and won a Silver Slugger award.

Ludwick is reportedly interested in returning to the Reds, but will be shopping around his services. It would be nice to have him back as I think he has some slugging left to do, and his skills suit Great American Ball Park nicely.

After initially announcing that the playoff roster would be set on Friday, the Cincinnati Reds changed their mind and didn’t announce it until a few hours before tonight’s game.

The players who didn’t make it aren’t a surprise. Devin Mesoraco, Mike Leake, and Logan Ondrusek were all left off.

Starters (4)

• Bronson Arroyo
• Homer Bailey
• Johnny Cueto
• Mat Latos

Bullpen (7)

• Jose Arredondo
• Jonathan Broxton
• Aroldis Chapman
• J. J. Hoover
• Sam LeCure
• Sean Marshall
• Alfredo Simon

Catchers (2)

• Ryan Hanigan
• Dioner Navarro

Infielders (7)

• Miguel Cairo
• Zack Cozart
• Todd Frazier
• Brandon Phillips
• Scott Rolen
• Wilson Valdez
• Joey Votto

Outfielders (5)

• Jay Bruce
• Chris Heisey
• Ryan Ludwick
• Xavier Paul
• Drew Stubbs

Almost lost in a notebook item written by reds.com reporter Mark Sheldon yesterday was this little bit of news about the fastest man in baseball and top Reds’ prospect, Billy Hamilton.

Billy Hamilton is switching positions, going from shortstop to center field.

“There are a lot of reasons,” Bill Bavasi, the Reds’ vice president of scouting and player development, told MLB.com. “We have [Zack] Cozart. We have Didi [Gregorius]. If you watch Hamilton’s style of play, it’s a pounding style of play. It would be an easier position for his body to take along with the base stealing. Everything seems to work better.”

Notice who wasn’t mentioned? Current center fielder Drew Stubbs. The Reds have maintained that Hamilton isn’t ready for the majors, and he is likely another year away. But it’s very easy to envision him being a September call-up in 2013.

Drew Stubbs has been terrible year this year, which is the worst of his career. He showed such promise after his first full year in 2010, but he’s been disappointing in the 2 seasons since. He’s shaping up to be another Corey Patterson, and I’m glad to see the Reds making a move to shore up that position for the future.

It’s September, and the rosters have expanded. This year, the Cincinnati Reds called up reliever Logan Ondrusek, infielders Didi Gregorius and Henry Rodriguez, outfielder Denis Phipps, and catcher Devin Mesoraco. In addition, on Tuesday the team will activate left-handed pitcher Tony Cingrani.

With the exception of Ondrusek and Mesoraco, though, don’t expect the other guys to get much playing time.

“It’s a great time to learn how to play, where to play and notice mistakes,” Baker said. “If you pay attention, you learn a lot. They’re all pretty attentive young men. I explained to them some of the perils of being in the big leagues versus in the Minor Leagues.”

All four will be in the majors for the first time. And with the Reds working on wrapping up both a division title and home field advantage in the playoffs, it would be wise to use the rookies prudently. Once the Reds do clinch, I imagine the rookies will give the veterans some time off to rest up for the playoffs. Of course, all the additional players will free manager Dusty Baker up to meddle in the game more in the later innings.

The day of Joey Votto’s return to the Cincinnati Reds may be this next week.

The Reds plan to have Joey Votto play rehab games at Single-A Dayton on Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes well, Votto will rejoin the Reds and be activated next weekend when the club plays in Houston.

Votto hasn’t played since July 15. Since then, he’s had two procedures on his knee to deal with loose cartilage. And I can’t write any more about the procedure because it starts making me a little queasy.

For the last few days, Votto has been doing baseball activities at Great American Ball Park. However, he doesn’t feel that’s enough to jump right back into the major league lineup and would like a couple games in the minors.

“Hopefully two (games), depending on how I’m feeling,” Votto said. “I’m a little apprehensive because I haven’t played in such a long time, but once I get going I’ll feel fine.”

I understand his apprehension, but I also miss seeing him in the lineup. It has been nice that the team has gone 27-13 in his absence, but there’s no player I enjoy watching more than him. His return is getting closer, though. I just hope he lays off the sliding.