The Reds moved a step closer to being healthy when second baseman Brandon Phillips returned to the starting lineup Monday after missing five games with a strained left calf.

Phillips was in the lineup Saturday but was scratched late after general manager Walt Jocketty met with the trainers.

Phillips politely refused to speak with reporters Monday. “I don’t want to say the wrong thing,” he said.

“We’re happy to have him back in there,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s been driving us crazy trying to play. He says he’s feeling well. He’s been cleared. He passed all the tests.

“He’s much better. But it’s hard to say he’s 100 percent. If a guy’s 100 percent right now, chances are he hasn’t played much. He knows his body. You always take a chance.”

Joey Votto will likely be joining Phillips soon. How soon?

“I wish I could give you an answer,” head trainer Paul Lessard said. “He’s progressing very well. But I can’t say he’s going to be ready on this date.”

Votto went through his most extensive running and agility session Monday. He also hit in the cages and on the field.

“The big thing is how he responds the next day,” Lessard said.

Votto had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee July 17. Today is the three-week mark.

Some good has come out of the injury, Baker said.

“With him on the bench, he’s been able to assume more of a leadership role,” Baker said. “I see him talking to guys on the bench, discussing things. When you’re playing, you don’t have the time and energy to do that. It’s helped him and it’s helped us, too.”

No on Overbay

Jocketty said the Reds were not interested in Lyle Overbay, who was cut by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“He’s limited as to where he can play,” Jocketty said. “And we like (Xavier) Paul. We’re going to give him a chance.”

Paul, signed as a free agent and added to the roster July 18, went into Monday hitting .412 with two doubles and two RBI in his last 10 appearances.

He can play all three outfield position and has good speed. Overbay has never played anywhere but first base in the majors.

Long division

At 28-16, the Reds have the best record against their division of any club in the majors.

“It’s very important to play well against your division,” Baker said. “The majority of your games are against your division. The last two years we’ve really emphasized trying to play well against the division.”

Mesoraco update

Devin Mesoraco caught a couple of bullpen sessions Monday. He’s over his concussion symptoms. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday.

“I’ll definitely be healthy and ready to go,” he said.

Masset update

Nick Masset’s first outing for Triple-A Louisville was rained out Sunday. He’ll throw today instead.

“We were going have him go (Monday),” Lessard said. “But he had already done his throwing and warmed up.”

Masset has been on the DL the whole year with a shoulder problem.

Scouting Segura

Jean Segura, the top shortstop prospect the Brewers got from the Angels in the Zack Greinke trade, was in the lineup Monday.

“He just got done playing against our Double-A team,” Baker said. “So we know as much about him as you can.”

Segura was hitting .433 in 30 at-bats at Double-A since the trade.