Votto lands on IL with left shoulder discomfort
PHOENIX — Joey Votto did not begin the 2023 season on time as he recovered from left shoulder surgical procedure. Because of the identical shoulder, the Reds first baseman is not assured of having the ability to end it.
The playoff-contending Reds will likely be with out Votto after he went on the 10-day injured record due to a left shoulder pressure on Thursday.
“I really feel like I’m not fairly on the place bodily I’d wish to be and it’s seeping into my swing,” Votto mentioned.
Votto, who turns 40 on Sept. 10, was lifted for a pinch-hitter Wednesday within the sixth inning of Game 1 throughout a Reds doubleheader vs. the Angels, a 9-4 win. He didn’t play Game 2.
“You could see it getting weaker,” general manager Nick Krall said. “He came in yesterday and he told our guys. It seemed obvious. Hopefully, it’s a 10-day thing and we’re pushing it out of the way but we’ll see what happens.”
Cincinnati recalled utility participant Nick Senzel from Triple-A Louisville to interchange Votto on the 26-man roster.
Votto underwent left shoulder surgical procedure on Aug. 19, 2022, to restore a torn rotator cuff and a torn biceps. But his progress towards returning was not often a straight line. He got here to Spring Training hoping to be prepared for Opening Day nevertheless it proved to be unrealistic.
An preliminary rehab project with Louisville was halted on April 15 for nearly six weeks so he might enhance his vary of movement and energy. After a second rehab project, he lastly made his 2023 debut for the Reds on June 19 and went 2-for-3 with a homer in a win over the Rockies at Great American Ball Park.
In 51 video games this season, Votto is slashing .200/.303/.459 with 13 residence runs and 33 RBIs over 195 plate appearances. But he has not hit a homer since Aug. 7 vs. Miami and he’s 7-for-his-last-37 (.189) with one double accounting for the lone extra-base hit over his final 12 video games.
There isn’t any precise timetable but for whether or not Votto might return by Sept. 3, the primary day he’d be eligible for activation. However, he expressed confidence that he would return this season.
“I’m going to work towards that, in fact,” he mentioned.
The Reds are attempting to safe a playoff spot and entered Thursday’s sport vs. the D-backs a half-game up for the third National League Wild Card berth forward of each Arizona and the Giants.
“Frankly, it sucks. For him, the club, everybody,” Krall said. “He wants to be a part of this as much as we want him to be a part of it. He’s a good veteran leader on this club. But you also want him to be healthy because if he’s not healthy and can’t contribute, that’s tough as well. Our goal is to get him healthy and continue this run.”
Reds supervisor David Bell is hoping to have Votto again to contribute for a stretch run towards the postseason.
“For me, it’s a day-to-day thing and a commitment over the next 10 days to strengthen his shoulder with a goal and a plan of getting him back as quick as we can to our team,” Bell said. “It’s disappointing, a setback, but there’s still time in the season where he can strengthen it and get back and continue being a big part of our team.”
As for Votto’s profession with the Reds, the scenario is extra sophisticated. A Red since he broke into the massive leagues in 2007, he’s within the closing season of his 10-year, $225 million contract. It has a $20 million membership possibility for 2024 with a $7 million buyout.
“I can’t speak for that, for the future, as far as my career,” Votto said. “I’m just thinking about getting better so I can be strong and healthy on a consistent basis in a game that demands that you’re strong and healthy on a consistent basis. As far as thinking about career stuff, I’m looking forward to getting back in the box and feeling great and performing well and helping the team move toward our collective goal.”
With Votto out, rookie Christian Encarnacion-Strand is prone to get the majority of taking part in time at first base.
Senzel, who was optioned to Louisville on Aug. 11, was slashing .219/.290/.368 with 9 homers and 37 RBIs in 80 video games for the Reds.
