Joey Votto, on pause from rehab assignment: 'My swing is not there yet'

Joey Votto had his rehab assignment halted Saturday, which means he won’t play in minor league games for at least five days, but he remains optimistic about the progress he’s made over the past month.

Votto will remain with the Cincinnati Reds through their home series against Tampa Bay, participating in pregame batting practice and defensive drills, before a decision is made for his next step. It’s possible he could restart a rehab assignment as early as next weekend.

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Position players have 20 days to complete rehab assignments. Votto’s rehab assignment was set to end Thursday, but his shoulder isn’t at the point where he felt ready to play in Major League games. He had seven hits in 38 at-bats (.184 batting average) with two doubles, one homer, six walks and 21 strikeouts in 10 rehab games.  

“My swing is not there yet,” Votto said Sunday. “There’s some strength and range of motion stuff. It’s totally normal. I feel so much better. I think I’m doing great, relative to the beginning of spring, a month ago, three months ago. I think I’m doing excellent. It was ambitious to attempt to make Opening Day.”

Votto initially held out hope he could’ve returned shortly after the first week of the season, but it was clear through his results and how he felt that it would be a longer process.

“I didn’t perform well in Louisville,” Votto said. “I was missing middle pitches and that was entirely because of my arm. The difference between the beginning of my rehab and the last day I was there is night and day. I’m very happy about the progress.”

The Reds will continue to have Jason Vosler, Wil Myers and Tyler Stephenson rotate through first base in Votto’s absence.

It wasn’t until Votto began playing in spring training games that anyone expected he would have a chance to be ready for the start of the season. His results in Louisville and the decision to pause a rehab assignment are reminders he underwent extensive surgery to repair his rotator cuff and bicep last August.

“I think I am on schedule or ahead of schedule,” Votto said. “I think I'm doing really, really well. I have nothing but good things to say. I feel good. I'm bummed that I'm not back. It's a little embarrassing interrupting an IL stint and pausing it, but it's not a reflection on whether or not I'm getting better or whether or not I'll play well in a Reds uniform. Those are two separate things.”

Reds General Manager Nick Krall said Sunday the Reds weren’t looking at Votto as a candidate for the 60-day injured list, so they’re optimistic he could return within the next month.

Votto has maintained he needs to be playing without limitations when he rejoins the Major League roster.

“I have to make sure I am playing well and when I come back, I can’t look back,” Votto said. “I'm going to get healthy and then come back and play well – I'm very confident of that. I'd be surprised if I didn't play well. I'd be surprised if I didn't get to full health and play well. I know it's in me.”

The Reds will re-evaluate Votto’s status Wednesday before they travel to Pittsburgh for a four-game road trip.

“It could still happen quick whenever he feels good,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “The next three days, I know what is going to happen. Then we’ll talk again at the end of the three days and decide what’s next.”