Reds’ Joey Votto Will Begin 2023 Season on Injured List; Could Consider Retirement Next Off-Season
The Cincinnati Reds will host the Pittsburgh Pirates during Thursday’s regular-season opener but won’t have franchise icon Joey Votto, who announced Monday he will require an IL stint out of the gate.
Votto, entering his 17th professional campaign with the Reds, is coming off season-ending surgery that repaired a torn rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder. He went under the knife last August, ending his 2022 season after just 91 games.
The 39-year-old has appeared in eight Cactus League contests this spring, slashing .182/.308/.227 with four walks and six strikeouts across 26 plate appearances. But he has yet to log more than seven innings per appearance and doesn’t feel ready for Opening Day.
Votto is scheduled to begin a triple-A rehab assignment on Friday, where Louisville will open its season in Nashville. The veteran slugger won’t be eligible to return to the majors until Apr. 6th.
“What led me to that decision was just not being ready,” Votto said Monday. “Starting a good bit behind during spring training. Still working through some of the rehab process. Not accumulating enough time in the field. Not accumulating enough at-bats. (Sunday) was the first day where I felt semi-close to being able to play close to 100%. It takes a stretch of time feeling that way before you feel like you are regular season ready.”
Wil Myers, who signed a one-year deal worth $7.5 million over the off-season, will likely take most of the reps at first base. It could also guarantee a roster spot for Jason Vosler, a non-roster invitee, who’d join Myers and Tyler Stephenson as first base and DH options.
That group should prove vital for Cincinnati early on as Votto doesn’t intend to rush his return to the lineup, and understandably so. Until he feels ready, physically and mentally, the left-hander will continue to work on his craft in hopes of bouncing back from last season’s woes.
“The second you get put into that first lineup, you’re not in rehab mode,” Votto said prior to Saturday’s 9-2 loss to the White Sox. “You’re not in ‘let’s pace him’ mode. I have the responsibility of coming back and being able to answer the lineup every day, be available for any pinch-hit, defensive switch, what have you, and then run it back each and every day for the rest of the season. That’s exactly what I’m preparing for.… I’m trying to move toward that, I feel like I’m getting closer toward that.”
The Toronto, Ont., native endured the worst statistical performance of his career in 2022, where he posted career worsts in AVG (.205), OBP (.319), SLG (.370), wRC+ (92), strikeout rate (25.8 percent) and fWAR (-0.9). And that didn’t sit right with the 2010 NL MVP Award winner.
For someone regarded as one of the best hitters of his generation, if Votto’s offensive struggles carry over into 2023, the 6-foot-2 slugger will seriously consider retirement next winter.
“I mean this, seriously, I think I’m going to play well,” Votto said. “I think I’m going to perform well offensively. If not, I’m going to retire. End of story.”
With Votto unavailable for Thursday’s opener, his streak of 14 consecutive Opening Day games – tied with Bid McPhee for the second-longest in franchise history – will sadly come to an end. He features 16 career appearances on Opening Day.
“It saddens me because Opening Day means a lot to our city,” Votto said. “It means a lot to me. This is just how it is shaking out this year. I’m trying to hustle back and get back in uniform as quickly as possible and help the team. It’s just going to be a little bit later this year.”
Votto is in the final season of his 10-year, $225-million contract but does feature a $20-million club option for 2024, which includes a $7 million buy-out.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Blackngold29. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.