Joey Vatto Hits HR in Return from Injuries

Joey Vatto Hits HR in Return from Injuries

20 June, 2023

For the first time in almost a year, Joey Votto made himself known on Monday night.

Votto was back in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Reds’ game against the Colorado Rockies after missing more than 10 months due to several surgeries.

And in just his second at-bat at Great American Ball Park, Votto smashed a single home ball off of Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber that went far over the right field wall. The Reds now lead 3-1 thanks to that goal.

Votto missed the final 46 games of the previous season after having surgery in August to repair a torn left rotator cuff and his left biceps. On Monday, he was taken off the 60-day injury list and made his first lineup appearance since August 16.

Prior to his arrival back on Monday, the 39-year-old spent two seasons in the minor leagues. He played in 22 games with the team’s Triple-A club in Louisville, hitting.173 with three home runs and 11 RBI.

“I feel much more like myself,” Votto said before the game, via The Associated Press. “I’m back to full health. Ten months is a long rehab. If I’m going to rejoin a winning ballclub, my responsibility is to be up to speed with them.”

In his 15th season in the league, Votto — the NL MVP in 2010 — hit.266 with 36 home runs and 99 RBI. Votto is in the final year of a 10-year, $225 million contract with the Reds after spending his whole career there.

The Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Monday night to extend their winning run to nine games and take over first place in the NL Central. Since 2013, they have only made it to the postseason twice, losing both times in the wild-card round.

Votto remarked, “I’ve seen the atmosphere in this clubhouse. “Better things are happening,”

The Reds placed pitcher Hunter Green on the 15-day IL with a hip ailment as Votto made his comeback.