The Reds declined Votto's $20 million club option for 2024 on Saturday.
Votto will enter the free agent market for the first time after 17 seasons with the Reds. The 40-year-old veteran previously said he plans to continue playing for "at least one more year," and he should be able to secure a one-year deal elsewhere after slashing .202/.314/.433 in 2023.
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Reds' Joey Votto: No plans to retire
Rotowire
Votto said in an interview Friday that he wants to continue his baseball career for "at least one more year," Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show reports.
Votto also added that while his preference would be to play for the Reds, if they would like to move on he would consider playing elsewhere. The 40-year-old finished with a .202/.314/.433 batting line with 14 home runs in 2023, as he was limited to just 65 games due to to complications in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Reds have a $20 million club option or $7 million buyout on Votto for 2024. While they will not be exercising that option, it's possible the two sides could work out a restructured deal if the organization is keen on bringing the six-time All-Star back.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Ejected from season finale
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Votto was ejected from Sunday's game against the Cardinals for arguing balls and strikes, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
The 40-year-old started at first base and batted third Sunday in the final game of the season, and potentially his final game with the Reds, but he was ejected for arguing after striking out in his only at-bat. It's an unceremonious close to Votto's 17th season, and he finishes the year with 14 homers, 38 RBI and a .203/.315/.435 slash line in 64 contests.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Not starting Friday
Rotowire
Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.
Votto will be on the bench for the second straight game after collecting hits in two of his last three contests. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will get the nod at first base instead and bat fourth.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Votto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
It's the first time since Sept. 6 that Votto is not in the starting lineup versus a right-hander. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is covering first base for the Reds, and Jake Fraley will be in the designated-hitter spot.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Day off Saturday
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Votto will sit Saturday against the Pirates.
Votto will sit against lefty Bailey Falter, meaning he's now sat against three of the last four southpaws the Reds have faced. Spencer Steer will start at first base.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Drives in two
Rotowire
Votto went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 7-3 win over the Twins.
Votto added insurance with a two-run single in the seventh inning that made it a 7-2 game. The two runs knocked in leave him with 37 RBI over 57 games. The 40-year-old is 6-for-22 (.273) with a home run, a double, four RBI and four runs scored over six games since returning from a shoulder injury.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Sitting versus lefty
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Votto is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.
With lefty David Peterson on the mound for New York, the lefty-hitting Votto will take a seat to begin Friday's contest. Spencer Steer will start at first base.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Votto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Tigers.
Votto started the first two games back from the injured list, but he'll take a seat in this one. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and Hunter Renfroe will occupy the designated hitter spot.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Homers in return to lineup
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Votto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.
Votto gave himself a nice birthday present by extending the Reds' lead with a solo home run to right in the eighth in his first game back since Aug. 23. Votto hasn't hit the ball a ton, evidenced by his .201 batting average, but he's still hitting for power, as he now has 14 home runs in 52 games this season. The 40-year-old should figure to see a near-everyday role at either first base or designated hitter down the final stretch of the year. He's now hitting .201/.302/.471 with 35 RBI, 21 runs and a 20:55 BB:K in 199 plate appearances.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Activated, starting Sunday
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Votto (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting at first base Sunday versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirerreports.
Votto made two appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment and will rejoin Cincinnati's lineup after going 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI with Triple-A Louisville. The veteran first baseman should see plenty of playing time down the stretch, though he could receive regular off days in Cincinnati's crowded and talented infield.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Starts rehab assignment
Rotowire
Votto (shoulder) went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
Votto began a short rehab assignment with the Bats, which is expected to last one more day before he's activated Sunday.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Could return Sunday
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Votto (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list as early as Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Votto is set to begin a minor-league stint Friday with Triple-A Louisville, and the Reds apparently don't think he'll need much time to get back up to speed. The 39-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 24 because of a mild strain in his troublesome left shoulder. He's appeared in only 51 major-league games this season.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Votto (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Votto began easing back into hitting drills about a week ago and evidently things must have gone well. The Reds have not set a target date for his return to the lineup, as they no doubt want to see how his shoulder responds in game action first. Votto has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a left shoulder strain, which is the same shoulder he had surgically repaired last year.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Easing into hitting
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Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) is "going through his strengthening [program]" and "adding more hitting," but the Reds haven't yet pinpointed a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Votto was first eligible to return from the IL on Sunday, but since he hasn't yet resumed full baseball activities, any potential return looks as though it'll be at least another week away. Christian Encarnacion-Strand should continue to serve as the Reds' primary first baseman while Votto remains on the shelf with a strained left shoulder.
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Reds' Joey Votto: No baseball activities yet
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Votto (shoulder) remains shut down from baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
It was reported last week that Votto should be ready to return from his left shoulder soreness by early September, but clearly that's not happening. Expect the Reds to use Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base and Jake Fraley at designated hitter against righties until Votto is ready.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Expected back in early September
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Votto (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list in early September, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Votto was placed on the injured list Thursday due to left shoulder discomfort, a potential aggravation of the issue that forced him to miss nearly the first three months of the season. However, manager David Bell provided some clarification that Votto is expected to have a short stint on the shelf this time, with his earliest potential return being Sep. 3.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Goes on IL with sore shoulder
Rotowire
Cincinnati placed Votto on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left shoulder discomfort.
It's the same shoulder that required a surgical repair last year. Votto got off to an encouraging start when he finally joined the Reds in June, but he is slashing just .167/.262/.296 over his last 61 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3. There is no timetable for his return from this latest setback.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Sitting out nightcap Wednesday
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Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup for the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Left-hander Reid Detmers will take the mound for Los Angeles, so Votto will retreat to the bench for the start of Wednesday's nightcap. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will start at first base, and Spencer Steer will serve as the Reds' DH.
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Reds' Joey Votto: Sitting against lefty
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Votto is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Guardians.
Henry Ramos will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and Christian Encarnacion-Strand will cover first base with left-hander Logan Allen getting the start for Cleveland. Spencer Steer is in left field and batting cleanup.
