Reds reinstate former NL MVP from IL

The Reds are reinstating Joey Votto from the injured list, and he will be in Monday’s starting lineup, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Since Votto was on the 60-day injured list, corresponding moves will be required, though those have not yet been announced.

Once Monday’s contest begins, Votto will play in a major league game for the first time in 10 months. The last time he took the field was Aug. 16 last year, after which he required surgery on a torn rotator cuff. It was estimated that it would take about six months for him to recuperate from that procedure, though he ended up going beyond that. He once seemed on track to be ready for Opening Day or perhaps in April but continually delayed his return until he felt fully ready.

Much has changed for the club since Votto has been gone. The team was firmly in rebuild mode last year, trading away pitchers like Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle, finishing with a record of 62-100. This year, the Reds have been on the upswing with various younger players coming up to the majors and thriving. They are currently 37-35 and just half a game behind the Brewers in the National League Central.

Votto is a legend in Cincinnati, debuting back in 2007 and racking up many accolades over the years. However, he’s aware that the club’s return to contention puts him in a position where the past won’t matter too much. 

“I was just called up. And I’m here to compete for a job,” he tells Wittenmyer. “That’s my mentality. That’s my attitude. Everything’s earned in this game, regardless. Guaranteed-contract guys get released all the time… I recognize that I have to perform well at all times.”

Now 39 years old, Votto struggled last year with a line of .205/.319/.370, though he’s not too far removed from an excellent .266/.375/.563 showing in 2021. In his absence this year, Spencer Steer has been getting the bulk of the playing time at first, responding with a strong showing of .277/.361/.477 and 121 wRC+.

Steer is also capable of moving to third base or left field, but the return of Votto is going to lead to a bit of a squeeze. Jonathan India is the everyday option at second while Matt McLain has been thriving at shortstop. Superstar prospect Elly De La Cruz has only played 11 games but has shown tremendous ability so far while playing both shortstop and third base. Perhaps Steer ends up in the outfield mix, but he’ll be jockeying for playing time with Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl and Will Benson. There are also other players to consider such as Nick Senzel, Kevin Newman and Stuart Fairchild.

That busy roster situation only figures to get more crowded as Wil Myers is currently on a rehab assignment and infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand is demanding a call-up by hitting .348/.421/.687 in Triple-A.

Votto is in the final guaranteed season of the 10-year, $225M extension he signed back in 2012. The Reds have a $2MM option for 2024 that comes with a $7M buyout, making it a net $13M decision.