GOODYEAR, Arizona – For the first time in 12 days, Joey Votto was back at the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training complex.
"I missed swinging a bat and being outside and joining my teammates," he said. "It’s something I didn’t take for granted but it’s great to get back."
Votto underwent a mandatory 10-day quarantine after he tested positive for COVID-19 and he had a mandatory cardiac evaluation before he was cleared to return to the team Sunday.
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The question now becomes whether Votto has enough time this spring to be ready for Opening Day on April 1.
“Honestly, I don’t know," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "It’s to be determined. I think he’s going to come into camp today, assess where he is, see where that takes him. Let’s get his legs underneath him and go from there. I can’t give you a timetable. It affects different people in different ways. Hopefully, it’s on the sooner end but we’re not sure at this point.”
The Reds have seven spring training games remaining, though they plan to play many intrasquad scrimmages, so he will receive extra at-bats on the backfields of the complex.
There isn't an obvious choice for starting first baseman if Votto begins the season on the injured list. Kyle Farmer, Alex Blandino and Max Schrock are utility infielders who have received an extra look at the position.
Mike Moustakas spent some time at first base last year. Non-roster invitee Nicky Delmonico is another option with big-league experience at the position.
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"You’ve got a lot of guys that are still in camp," Krall said. "I think we have to decide at the end of the day, does (Eugenio) Suárez play short? Does Moose move around? We’re working guys in."
Votto, who wants to hit for more power this year, felt "really good" at the start of camp. He had four hits in 10 at-bats with a double that he drove to the center-field wall at Goodyear Ballpark.
"I had a very poor defensive year last year," Votto said. "It was 50 games or so. That’s not an excuse but I played really poorly. I’d like to go into the season feeling sharp defensively, and I’ve got teammates that have never seen me – there were times last year I’d look over to Moustakas after I dropped a ball and I would tell him, 'dude, I’m a good defender. I don’t know what’s going on.'
"I’m looking forward to feeling sharp with the bat, like I’m dangerous as I mentioned before. Making sure I’m healthy and strong and able to play as often as possible. That’s the goal, and I felt I was trending in that direction. I have to get back to there and beyond."
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Votto said he didn't divulge whether he had any symptoms, saying it was a subject he didn't want to talk about. He wanted to focus on the fact that he was finally back.
"I think most players, maybe not most players, you have that split-second where you’re like – I don’t even know if I had a split-second – should I opt out?" he said. "I didn’t even have that. Not being able to come to the ballpark and put my uniform on and not play ball and be a part of the team, I just couldn’t imagine taking that choice. This came with it. This is part of the risks. I’m glad I’m back. I’m grateful."
Before Votto ended his Zoom press conference Sunday, he wanted to reiterate how grateful he felt.
"I received a lot of support, not only from friends and colleagues and coworkers, I got a lot of support from people I’ve never met before," he said. "I’m thankful and grateful. Well wishing me. Our staff was great. (Reds head trainer) Steve Baumann was outstanding, he took great care of me. I always felt cared for. Our doctors also, I always felt cared for. I really appreciated that. I wanted to say that out loud. When you’re going through something new and you have great support, you feel lucky."
ROSTER CUTS: The Reds announced they cut six players from big-league camp Sunday: shortstop Jose Garcia, outfielder Scott Heineman, first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, catcher Deivy Grullón, right-handed pitcher Hector Perez and right-handed pitcher Art Warren.
Garcia was expected to begin the season in the minor leagues after he struggled offensively in his big-league debut last year. He's had a very quiet camp, hitless in 14 at-bats in Cactus League games with one walk and five strikeouts. He's still considered the long-term solution at shortstop, and he continues to impress defensively, but he previously skipped Double-A and Triple-A.
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Heineman hit well at the start of camp, but the Reds are looking at Aristides Aquino, Tyler Naquin and Mark Payton for their backup outfielders on the 26-man roster. Cuthbert was a non-roster invitee to camp.
The Reds have 42 players remaining in big-league camp.
ALTERNATE SITE: Krall said the Reds will hold their alternate site in Louisville, the home of their Triple-A team, until the minor-league season begins, which is scheduled for May 4.
The Reds are hoping they'll be able to play other teams, maybe Columbus or Toledo, to keep players game-ready. The Reds will begin their minor-league camp in Arizona in a couple of weeks, too.
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