The Cincinnati Reds just announced that first baseman Joey Votto has been placed on the injured list. There is no injury specified. Manager David Bell, earlier today when asked why Votto hadn’t played recently said he had “no update”.
Update at 2:50pm ET
Mark Sheldon of Reds.com confirms that Joey Votto has COVID-19.
Through the #reds, Votto revealed that he was diagnosed with Covid 19.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 10, 2021
Per MLB protocols, Joey Votto will be out of camp for at least 10 days. Anyone who has been “in close contact” with him will have to quarantine for 7 days.
Original article continues below:
Joey Votto last played on Sunday and hasn’t been seen since. Now we know why he has been absent from camp, though in the current times no one really even noticed until he wasn’t in the lineup again on Wednesday.
Hopefully Joey Votto can return quickly and be healthy. He was having a good spring thus far, hitting .444/.500/.556 in his four games played while taking a different approach than he usually has in the spring and being more aggressive at the plate instead of taking pitches just to see more of them to try and prepare for the season.
I’m very optimistic about a bounce back season for Votto, so this is disappointing news indeed. But it’s still early in spring training and is hopefully really minor and precautionary. One thing the Reds definitely need to compete this year is good health, including not just Votto but all the regulars.
Even if it’s Covid, why would the Reds place him on the IL before the season starts? Unless I’m mistaken, the only reason a player would be placed on the IL now would be the 60-day IL, and that would be to open a roster spot. Seems rather odd…
You are mistaken.
Now that Covid has been officially acknowledged as JV’s issue, let’s hope his case is mild with a quick/ full recovery and there is no nightmare ripple effect through the Reds camp.
Amen, praying his case is mild and no spread.
Probably better than an actual injury injury.
Get well soon, Joey.
Oh, UGH. Is cartoon profanity appropriate for this Doug? #(*&(&)@!!!
OTOH, if I understand it correctly, this takes Votto off the 40-man, and may give the front office 10 days of roster juggling creativity. Be interesting to see if they can leverage an advantage out of it.
I’m struggling to come up with how they would do this. Unless Votto is going to miss out on the start of the year, the Reds aren’t going to have the opportunity to pick up someone on waivers “for free” because they have a spot open.
Something along the lines of the Kennys Vargas shuffle a few years ago, or the Payamps waiverings this winter. Aren’t we about to the time when teams start waiving/DFAing/releasing guys – the 10 days in late spring training. Perhaps take a flyer on someone coming available.
The earliest “opt out” dates I’ve heard is March 25th for this year. So that’s about the time you’ll see guys hitting the waiver wire.
Truthfully I am more concerned about Joey’s health than this roster stuff. Just hope he recuperates quickly.
Yes… Covid can be surprisingly dangerous in any sort of person… even a first rate athlete.
I say put the best 12 best position players in one room with Votto until they all get it, let the pitchers get their work in with the AAA lineup & Bring them all back in 10 days- then they do not have to worry about it all season.
I know I am in the minority, but really believe Reds need to start grooming a new 1B. Mouse and Winker might work in the short term, but really believe Reds need a young powerful LHH true 1st base type. Still like to see Stephenson get a look there as well. Kid appears to have a + bat and needs some ABs to prove it. Likewise he’s 6′ 4″ not ideal at C for a number of reasons.
I had the same thoughts on Stephenson. No way at that height he has a long MLB career. He seems like a prime candidate to start grooming as a backup 1B a la Buster Posey.