Joey Votto uncertain for Cincinnati Reds Opening Day, may start on IL
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Opening Day is less than a week away and it’s uncertain whether Joey Votto will be starting at first base when the Cincinnati Reds begin their season Thursday.
Votto has played for nearly two weeks in spring training games, but he’s still in the process of accumulating at-bats and defensive innings to reach the point where he feels ready for the start of the regular season.
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Speaking for more than 10 minutes in front of his locker before Saturday’s spring training game, Votto sounded like a player who recognizes he may begin the season on the injured list. The Reds trust Votto’s judgement on how prepared he feels for the season and will likely wait to make a final determination until Opening Day rosters are due Thursday morning.
“I recognize being a part of Opening Day is important in our city,” said Votto, who has been on 15 Opening Day rosters in his career, one shy of tying Dave Concepcion for third in franchise history and two shy of the record held by Barry Larkin and Pete Rose. “I recognize I’ve been there for a while and the fans’ expectations … I will always want to meet them. That being said, I have to make sure that I prepare for a long season. I have to make sure that I’m healthy, so that I can perform well and be a valuable member of this team.
“I just want to make sure I’m clear: This is a performance-based game. You have to do your job. And I can’t come back early, tank and embarrass our organization. I have to come back, perform well and be healthy.”
The 39-year-old Votto, who is in the last guaranteed year of his Reds contract, remains confident he will play well this year. He’s coming off the worst offensive season of his career, though playing through his injuries for more than a month likely played a significant part in his statistical decline.
“I’ve done really well with my offensive work,” Votto said. “I mean this, seriously, I think I’m going to play well. I think I’m going to perform well offensively. If not, I’m going to retire. End of story.”
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The Reds never committed to a timetable for Votto, who had surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his left shoulder and damage to his bicep last August. Manager David Bell said he didn’t think Votto returning by Opening Day was truly a realistic possibility until a couple of weeks ago, a testament to how much time Votto dedicated to his rehab, which remains ongoing.