Six-time All-Star Joey Votto rejoined the streaking Cincinnati Reds on Monday and homered while playing his first major league game since Aug. 16, 2022.
The first baseman, who had been on the 60-day injured list while recovering from left shoulder surgery, was activated for the first time this year as the Reds brought an eight-game winning streak into their series opener against the visiting Colorado Rockies.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Hunter Greene was placed on the IL due to right hip pain, while right-hander Kevin Herget was designated for assignment.
Batting sixth on Monday, Votto went deep in his second at-bat of the night, leading off the fifth inning against Colorado’s Austin Gomber.
Votto, 39, stepped back in the lineup with a vastly different team and said his goal isn’t to stand out, but to fit in with the club.
“I have to be a value add. I have to be an add,” Votto said Monday. “It’s the type of ball I want to play. I want to perform well. Now I’m in a position where I only have a choice to play well, which is even more — right up my alley. I’m stoked.”
Votto began his second rehab assignment of the season at Triple-A Louisville on June 3. An earlier stint there in April was halted after 10 games due to lingering issues following surgery in August to repair his left rotator cuff and biceps.
Votto hit .173 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 22 games with Louisville.
Votto saw his streak of 14 consecutive Opening Day starts end due to the injury.
“I want to wear a Reds uniform until the end of my career, very clearly. I have to fit in,” Votto said.
He batted just .205 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs in 91 games last season. His on-base percentage was just .319.
Votto was the National League MVP in 2010 and batted better than .300 eight times in a nine-year span earlier in his career. He also has led the NL in on-base percentage seven times.
His career numbers, entering Monday, included a .297 batting average, a .412 on-base percentage, a .513 slugging percentage, 342 homers and 1,106 RBIs in 1,991 games over 16 seasons, all with the Reds.
Votto is making $25 million in 2023, the final season of a 10-year, $225 million deal. The Reds hold a $20 million option for 2024 with a $7 million buyout.
Greene, 23, is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts for the Reds this season. He did not win any of his first 10 starts of the year, then went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA over his most recent four starts. He is 7-17 with a 4.35 ERA over the past two seasons for the Reds.
Herget, 32, was 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA over 13 relief appearances for Cincinnati this year.
–Field Level Media
