CINCINNATI — Joey Votto homered in his return to the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup after a 10-month absence that adopted an operation to restore his left biceps and rotator cuff.
The 39-year-old hit sixth and performed first base Monday night time in a sequence opener towards Colorado within the first huge league recreation since Aug. 16. The 2010 NL MVP hit a 104.4 mph lineout to middle within the second inning, then drove a first-pitch, belt-high fastball from Austin Gomber to the other subject in proper within the fifth. The 102 mph drive landed a few dozen rows into the right-field seats and put the Reds forward 3-1.
After circling the bases on his 343rd residence run, Votto emerged from the Reds dugout for a curtain name, carrying a celebratory Viking helmet and cape. He had not homered since final Aug. 6 towards Milwaukee’s Jake McGee.
Votto was greeted with a standing ovation when he walked to the plate within the second inning and took off his helmet and waved to the group, then tapped it towards his coronary heart.
Kevin Newman homered main off the underside of the primary on Gomber’s fourth pitch and Nick Senzel hit a solo homer within the second, his first residence run since returning Friday from an IL stint brought on by proper knee irritation.
Cincinnati entered with an eight-game profitable streak, its longest since 2012.
“I feel much more like myself,” Votto stated. “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.”
Votto had surgical procedure on Aug. 19, ending a season through which he hit .205 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs. At the time of the operation, the Reds stated they anticipated the six-time All-Star again by opening day.
He made his spring coaching debut on March 12 and hit .182 with one double and one RBI in eight video games, then was placed on the 10-day injured record and despatched to Triple-A Louisville for a minor league harm rehabilitation task. Votto hit .184 with one homer and 5 RBIs by way of April 14, then was placed on the 60-day IL in May 4.
He rejoined Louisville on June 3 and hit .182 with two homers and 6 RBIs in 12 extra video games by way of Sunday with the Bats. Cincinnati activated him from the IL on Monday and positioned right-hander Hunter Greene on the 15-day IL with proper hip ache, a transfer retroactive to Sunday.
Reds supervisor David Bell stated Votto will play usually, however will probably be a day-to-day resolution based mostly on matchups.
In the ultimate season of a $251.5 million, 12-year contract, Votto is amongst 20 gamers with 8,000 or extra plate appearances to hit .297 or higher with an on-base proportion of at the least .400 (.412) and a slugging proportion of at the least .500 (.513).
He joins a staff that started the night time with a 37-35 report, a half-game behind Milwaukee within the NL Central. The Reds have made the playoffs simply as soon as since 2013, when the postseason was expanded to 16 groups for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
“I’ve been witness to the culture in this clubhouse,” Votto stated. “Things are changing for the better.”
Greene, a 23-year-old right-hander, is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 begins with 100 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings
Right-hander Kevin Herget was designated for task to clear a spot for Votto on the 40-man roster.
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