The Reds placed first baseman Joey Votto on the injured list on Wednesday, although the club did not specify a reason for the move.
It is an unfortunate setback for Votto, who had an unusually strong start in spring training. The 37-year-old bets 4 out of 9 with a one-two and a walk in the Cactus League competition, which he played last Sunday against the Giants, when he hit two hits.
The 2010 National League MVP and six-time All-Star, Votto is looking for a year of recovery in 2021. He hit 0.252 / 0.356 / 0.421 in the past two seasons, good for an average of 100 OPS + – compared to his career mark of 149. Votto showed greater power at the end of last season, hitting eight home runs in his 28 final games with 0.548 hits.
Votto, a 14-year-old veteran who has spent his entire career in Cincinnati, still has three guaranteed years left on his contract, plus a club option for 2024.