For the first time in 15 years, Joey Votto will not be on the field for the Reds on Opening Day.
Votto is still recovering from an injury that he suffered during the 2022 MLB season. He was hopeful to return and play on Opening Day, but he wasn't able to make it back, much to his disappointment.
"It saddens me because Opening Day means a lot to our city. It means a lot to me," Votto said to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "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."
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Certainly, it will be strange to see a Reds Opening Day lineup without Votto. The last time that happened was in 2008, a season that Votto entered with just 24 games of MLB experience. He wasn't included in Cincinnati's lineup until the third game of the season but eventually earned the starting job at first base.
Votto would go on to post a .297/.368/.506 slash line with 24 homers during that season. He finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting behind the Cubs' Geovany Soto and has been a staple in the Reds' lineup ever since.
But at least to start the 2023 MLB season, the Reds will employ someone else at first base.
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Joey Votto injury update
Votto is still recovering from a torn rotator cuff that he suffered last August. He needed surgery to fix that ailment as well as a left biceps problem.
Votto was hopeful that he would be able to return to the field for Opening Day. He played in eight spring training games and logged 22 at-bats, posting a slash line of .182/.308/.227 in that limited action, but it wasn't enough to get him up to full speed.
As such, Votto believed it was in his best interest to sit out.
"What led me to that decision was just not being ready," Votto explained. "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."
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How long is Joey Votto out?
The good news is that Votto isn't expected to be sidelined long-term by this malady. Reds manager David Bell explained that the team is just approaching Votto's return with caution, and he could return to the field just eight days after being placed on the injured list.
“We all know about Joey’s work ethic,” Bell said. “To even get into a position to have a chance to make it for Opening Day was incredible. It speaks to his dedication to the team and the organization, just how much he wanted to be able to play.
I think it’s a really responsible decision. If he could do it, he would. I think that extra eight days – if that’s what it turns out to be — could really set Joey up to get off to a good start and have a good season. He gave it a great run, but what’s eight days? They are important games, but to have Joey healthy and playing the way he needs for the whole season is the main goal.
Votto remains a key part of the Reds' lineup even entering his age-39 season, so it makes sense that the team would avoid rushing him back from injury. They hope that doing so will allow him to return to his 2021 form, which saw him slash .266/.375/.563 and hit 36 homers; in 2022, he hit .205/.319/.370 with just 11 homers.
