Longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto will have a late start to the 2023 MLB season, as he announced prior to Opening Day that he will be starting the season on the injured list as he recovers from surgery he underwent last August to repair his rotator cuff and bicep.
Votto struggled in 91 games last year before being placed on the injured list, as he only hit .205 with 11 home runs and a career-low 41 RBIs in the injury-plagued campaign.
Joey Votto injury update
June 3 Update — Votto is going to try and begin another rehab assignment. He started one earlier this season but was subsequently shut down after suffering a setback. Votto will now start an assignment with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate in Louisville. It all comes down to how he is feeling, but the veteran first baseman is hopefully nearing a return.
May 24 Update — Votto is continuing to get in work while away from the team. He said recently that he is still taking live BP and is getting healthier and strong while moving toward his return.
Joey Votto: “I will continue to take live BP. I’m healthier, stronger and moving towards to what I think is a repeatable just generally feeling healthier.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 22, 2023
“I’m not quite game ready yet but I’m going to continue to take lives and that will help move me in that direction.”
April 17 update — Votto was set to embark on a rehab assignment, but apparently he’s not feeling quite as well as anticipated:
Joey Votto update!
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 16, 2023
Votto is back in Cincinnati after being recalled from his rehabilitation stint in Louisville.
Here is the full story from @JoeyVotto himself, with all the details. @JimDayTV reports. pic.twitter.com/XRQ6kDSA4S
The first baseman should still be back before the end of the month.
April 6 update — Reds manager David Bell told reporters that Votto is unlikely to come off the injured list when first eligible on Thursday as he continues his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. The team hopes he’ll be able to return early next week, but apparently the first baseman’s surgically repaired shoulder still isn’t quite where it needs to be.
March 30 update — Votto announced to reporters on March 27 that he won’t be ready for Opening Day and will be starting a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Louisville Bats on Friday. Manager David Bell said that he’s hoping that Votto would spend the minimum amount of time on the injured list. With Votto out, Wil Myers, Jason Vosler and Tyler Stephenson will handle first base.