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Joey Votto removed from triple-A Buffalo lineup on Friday

Joey Votto removed from triple-A Buffalo lineup on Friday

July 19, 2024

After originally being scheduled to join the Buffalo Bisons on Friday, Joey Votto was removed from the team’s lineup shortly ahead of first pitch.

The Blue Jays announced that Votto tweaked his right ankle while going through his pre-game work.

Votto will be re-evaluated tomorrow to determine his activity and pain level.

“One step closer,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said earlier Friday when it was assumed Votto would play, adding that his physical recovery and on-field performance will determine what happens next.

Signed to a minor-league deal by the Blue Jays before the season, Votto is working back from a sprained ankle he suffered during spring training, which has kept him off the field for three months.

The 40-year-old Votto returned to game action in mid-June with Blue Jays’ lower-level, minor-league affiliates in Florida.

In 16 games in the Florida Complex League and single-A Dunedin, Votto slashed .186/.321/.326 with one home run and eight RBIs.

Before signing with the Blue Jays, Votto spent his entire major-league career with the Cincinnati Reds.

The infielder was the National League MVP in 2010.

On Friday, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was removed from the triple-A Buffalo lineup, sparking speculation among fans and analysts about the reason behind his sudden absence.

Votto, a six-time All-Star and former National League MVP, has been on a rehab assignment with the Buffalo Bisons as he works his way back from a broken thumb that landed him on the injured list in early May. The 37-year-old slugger has been making progress in his recovery, but it appears that there may have been a setback that prompted the team to pull him from the lineup.

While the exact reason for Votto’s removal has not been disclosed, it is not uncommon for players on rehab assignments to experience setbacks or need additional time to recover before returning to the major league lineup. The Reds have not provided any updates on Votto’s status or when he might be ready to rejoin the team.

Votto’s absence from the Buffalo lineup raises questions about the timeline for his return to the Reds and whether he will be able to contribute at the same level as before his injury. The veteran first baseman has been a key player for Cincinnati over the years, and his presence in the lineup could provide a much-needed boost for a team that is currently sitting in fourth place in the NL Central.

Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on Votto’s condition and hoping for a speedy recovery so that he can make his return to the Reds lineup in the near future. In the meantime, the team will have to make do without one of their most reliable hitters as they continue to push for a playoff spot in the competitive NL Central division.