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Say this about 40-year-old Joey Votto: The Toronto native sure figured out a way to make a splash in his Blue Jays debut on Sunday afternoon, both good and bad.
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The veteran first baseman hit a home run off of Philadelphia Phillies starter Zach Wheeler on the first pitch he saw in game action with the Jays, no doubt elevating the St. Patrick’s Day spirits of Canadian baseball fans.
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Votto launched the Wheeler fastball over the wall in left centre field at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. Given he’s in camp on a minor league deal, which amounts to being a tryout to extend his decorated career, it was a rousing first impression.
Unfortunately for the six-time all star, the good vibes — as electrifying as they were — lasted just minutes. After returning to the dugout, Votto injured himself, scuttling his original plans for his debut which was to play five innings as he works his way into game shape.
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According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Votto said he stepped on a bat in the Jays dugout and rolled his ankle.
Hitting second in the Jays lineup, Votto’s solo homer was the first Jays run in a 5-5 split squad tie with the Phillies. In the other contest, which featured most of the Jays starters, the Jays scored a 9-4 win over the Twins over at their home TD Ballpark in Dunedin.
The hope from the team is that Votto’s injured status won’t linger. With an off-day scheduled for Monday, the team resumes its Grapefruit League schedule against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday back at TD Ballpark.
Votto later told reporters that he accidentally stepped on the bat and that it “hurt like the dickens.” He suggested that the off day will be all he needs to recover.
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Votto has acknowledged that his bid to return to the big leagues may require a stint in the minors as he works his way back into form. Most likely Votto will be in competition with Daniel Vogelbach for a spot as a left-handed bat on manager John Schneider’s bench.
Votto, who has played all 17 seasons of his big league career for the Cincinnati Reds, signed a one-year deal on March 7 that is worth $2 million US should he crack the big league roster, plus incentives that could max out at an additional $2 million US.
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