Toronto Blue Jays Reveal the Plan For Recently-Signed Legend Joey Votto

It appears as if we are at least a month away from seeing Toronto Blue Jays' first baseman Joey Votto in game action, as he continues to rehab from an injured ankle.

Sep 24, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) hits a single / David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Based on a new report on Thursday, it appears that we are at least a month away from seeing the recently-signed Joey Votto play with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Votto, who signed with Toronto near the tail-end of spring training, is behind in his preparation for the year. He's also rehabbing an injured ankle that requires time.

Per the Toronto Star:

Joey Votto still has a chance to play his way onto the Jays roster, but he likely won't get a chance for at least a few more weeks. The 40-year-old Votto is rehabbing an ankle injury in Florida and is expected to go through a full spring progression before starting a minor-league assignment.

That likely rules him out for the bulk of April. What happens after that depends on how Daniel Vogelbach performs at the start of the season. Both designated hitters signed minor-league deals valued at $2 million if they made the big-league club.

If Vogelbach is rolling, it's quite possible that Votto gets released outright by the organization so he can pursue other opportunities, but we are still weeks from that situation playing out.

Let go by the Cincinnati Reds this offseason, Votto is a six-time All-Star, an MVP winner and a Gold Glover. He is a lifetime .294 hitter who has led the majors in on-base percentage three different seasons.

Having grown up in Canada, it would be a nice end if Votto is able to stick with his hometown team.

The Blue Jays open up the year on Thursday with the Tampa Bay Rays.

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