Toronto Blue Jays' Joey Votto Set For Extended Spring Training After Ankle Injury

Joey Votto got banged up in his Spring Training debut last week, and now the Toronto Blue Jays will open 2024 without the longtime Cincinnati Reds slugger.

The Toronto Blue Jays will open 2024 without one of baseball's most experienced bats.

First baseman Joey Votto suffered a right ankle injury in the dugout following his Spring Training debut on March 17. While he was initially removed from Toronto's lineup as a precaution, the 40-year-old slugger is still on the mend over a week later.

Manager John Schneider spoke to reporters Monday and said that Votto still hadn't resumed baseball activities. He is expected to reach that stage in his recovery in the coming days, as passed along by MLB.com's Keegan Matheson and others.

As it stands, Votto is likely to stay in extended Spring Training. He would remain at the team's complex in Dunedin, Florida, while the big league Blue Jays head off for the start of the 2024 regular season.

Votto, who was limited to 65 games in 2023 due to multiple injuries, did not enjoy a full Spring Training camp like most of his teammates. He spent the first month or so biding his time in free agency, finally let go by the Cincinnati Reds after 17 years, until Toronto finally tossed him a lifeline on March 8.

The bonus time Votto spends down in Florida will help him simulate a traditional, full Spring Training. Votto will also have ample time to heal, while the Blue Jays will have more time to make some tough decisions with their 26-man roster.

Votto and Daniel Vogelbach were pitted against each other in Spring Training, as they were competing for the overlapping roles of backup first baseman and secondary designated hitter. With Votto banged up, Vogelbach is in line to earn a roster spot come Opening Day.

Once Votto completes Spring Training and wraps up a potential rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, though, the two could be at odds again. Both joined Toronto on minor league deals as non-roster invites.

The Blue Jays, down Votto, are now in the final stages of gearing up for Opening Day. They will face the Tampa Bay Rays in a road contest that gets going at 4:10 p.m. ET on Thursday.

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