Joey Votto tests positive for COVID-19

GOODYEAR, Arizona – Joey Votto tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and placed on the injured list. 

Votto missed two games, a doubleheader in Detroit, when he was on the injured list without an injury designation last season after he reported COVID-19 symptoms. There are no minimum or maximum number of days a player can spend on the IL when it's related to COVID-19.

He will be away from the Cincinnati Reds for at least the next week following his positive test. He gave the Reds permission to announce his positive test publicly. 

Votto played six innings Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, recording two hits in three at-bats and scoring a run. He hit a double to center field against Giants right-handed reliever Dominic Leone.  

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Votto, who wants to hit for more power this season, has four hits in nine at-bats this spring with one walk and two strikeouts. 

"He looks different," Reds manager David Bell said earlier this week. "I think he would tell you that. I don't want to speak for him. We've had enough conversations. I know that he's intentionally made some changes and I think it's showing up. You look at the results and he's had some hits, which is always nice, even if you've had the career he's had, to get off to a good start is always a good feeling, which is great. But I think the way it looks, I think it's pretty obvious that his approach at the plate is a little bit different than the last couple of years."