SAN DIEGO -- First baseman Joey Votto was out of the lineup on Saturday, but it wasn’t because the Reds are facing left-handed starters for three straight games.

“He does have a little bit of tightness in his back,” manager David Bell said. “With a day game tomorrow, we chose to give him a day here. We thought it was the wise thing to do, just to be sure.”

Bell said he expects Votto back in the lineup Sunday for the finale of the four-game series against the Padres at Petco Park, and that Votto likely would be available off the bench on Saturday.

Votto, 35, played in each of the Reds’ first 19 games. He was out of the lineup twice in that time but came in as a pinch-hitter in both games.

After sending right-hander Chris Paddack to the mound in the series opener, the Padres had three lefties lined up: Matt Strahm pitched Friday, Eric Lauer was Saturday’s starter and Joey Lucchesi is scheduled for Sunday.

Votto entered Saturday with a small sample vs. lefties this season: 1-for-9 with a .495 OPS. His career numbers against left-handers, however, show almost no platoon advantage: .294/.400/.491.

Who’s leading off?

Votto’s rest day ended his four-day streak of batting leadoff. It also meant the pitcher was back in the No. 9 spot of the lineup.

Bell put the pitcher in the eight hole Thursday and Friday, hoping a position player at the bottom of the order would provide RBI opportunities for Votto and the No. 2 and 3 hitters when the lineup turned over.

Bell made an interesting choice at leadoff Saturday. Second baseman José Peraza had the honors despite an 0-for-22 skid stretching back to April 9. Peraza also had drawn no walks all season, leaving his on-base percentage at .161 entering the game.

“Peraza, he’s done it quite a bit in his career,” Bell said of the leadoff role. “We trust where he’s going and the direction he’s heading. We believe in him.

“In the end, it really doesn’t matter where you are in the lineup. You still need to go out and produce. And that’s what he’s going to do, no matter where he is in the lineup. There will be times where he’s batting leadoff. He puts the ball in play, and he’s going to have success wherever he is in the lineup.”

Peraza is the Reds’ fifth leadoff batter this season, following Jesse Winker (11 starts), Scott Schebler (three), Curt Casali (one) and Votto (four).

The Reds entered Saturday with a .268 OBP from the No. 1 spot, which ranked 26th in the Majors.