Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto returned to camp Sunday after sitting out with COVID-19, but when he might be able to play again is still uncertain.
The 37-year-old Votto left camp after a positive test on March 10 and has been isolated since. After being cleared by Major League Baseball, he was back at the Reds' spring training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, but will stay on the injured list until he's in game shape again.
鈥淚 feel good," the six-time All-Star said. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to be back, and I鈥檓 looking forward to putting the uniform on and joining the team. I miss playing ball, I miss being part of the group.鈥�
Votto, who declined to talk about his experience with the virus, couldn't say how long it will take him to be ready to play or whether he'll be in the lineup when the Reds open the season April 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before the positive test he played in four spring training games, going 4 for 9 at the plate. Last season the Toronto native hit .226 in 54 games, with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to feeling sharp with the bat, of course, feeling like I鈥檓 dangerous, as I mentioned before, and making sure I鈥檓 healthy and strong and able to play as often as possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the goal, and I felt like I was trending in that direction, so I have to get there and beyond.鈥�
Cincinnati is counting on Votto to continue the resurgence of success at the plate he showed at the end of last season.
鈥淗e鈥檚 really had a good camp up until missing time,鈥� general manager Nick Krall said. 鈥淪o we鈥檙e excited to have him back, and it just adds another offensive threat to our lineup.鈥�
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Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press
