Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Joins Toronto as NRI

Votto signed with the Blue Jays as a non-roster invitee Friday, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

The veteran first baseman was finally able to secure a contract for 2024, and it will come with the Canadian's hometown team. Votto clubbed 14 homers in just 65 games last season but struggled to make consistent contact with a .202 batting average. He seems likely to open the campaign at Triple-A Buffalo given how late he's joining the club, especially since there's no clear path to a place on Toronto's MLB roster with Spencer Horwitz and Daniel Vogelbach already competing for a left-handed DH/pinch-hitting role on the bench.