Votto (shoulder/biceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Votto is expected to report to Triple-A Louisville on Friday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, and he could be activated off the IL as soon as he's first eligible in early April. Cincinnati just wanted to slow-play his recovery from surgery last August to repair a torn left rotator cuff and torn left biceps muscle.

Reds manager David Bell confirmed Monday that Votto (shoulder/biceps) will open the season on the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Votto made a push late in spring training to be ready to go for Opening Day, the Reds will ultimately give him more time to build up after he underwent surgery last August to repair a torn left rotator cuff and a torn left bicep. Votto hasn't hit any reported snags in his recovery since making his Cactus League debut March 12, so he should be ready to report to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment Friday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Tyler Stephenson and Wil Myers both made multiple starts at first base during Cactus League play and should serve as the primary replacements at the position until Votto is cleared to return from the IL.

Votto told reporters before Saturday's Cactus League game that he could open the 2023 season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto has been able to play for two weeks in the Cactus League after recovering from a torn rotator cuff and left biceps surgery that ended his 2023 season. As Nightengale notes, however, he's still in the process of reaching enough at-bats and defensive innings to feel comfortable enough for the beginning of the year. "I just want to make sure I'm clear: This is a performance-based game," Votto said. "You have to do your job. And I can't come back early, tank and embarrass our organization. I have to come back, perform well and be healthy." It would likely be a short stint on the injured list for Votto, but the assumption that he'd be ready for the start of the season may have been slightly premature.

Votto will play deeper into spring games as the Cactus League progresses, CCharlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto was able to make his spring debut Sunday, and the Reds have understandably monitored his reps after returning from a torn rotator cuff and left biceps injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely. The former MVP should be ready for Opening Day, and likely will see most of his playing time as the starting first baseman for the Reds.

Votto is hitting second and playing first base Sunday in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

It will be the first appearance of the spring for Votto, as the veteran first baseman has been brought along slowly after missing the end of the 2022 campaign with a torn rotator cuff and a left bicep injury. The 39-year-old is not the fantasy stalwart he once was, but his fantastic approach at the plate still should allow him to get on base at a solid clip, and hitting near the top of the Reds' lineup does give him the opportunity to help in the runs category.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) was able to receive plate appearances Friday in a minor-league game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

In one of the plate appearances, Votto was able to draw one of his trademark walks. The former MVP is working his way back from surgery to repair his left bicep along with a torn rotator cuff in August. There's still no timetable as to when Votto will be able to rejoin the Reds, but it's a positive development that he's getting action against live pitching at this point of the season.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) continues to look good while going through long daily batting practice sessions and taking defensive reps at first base, but there's still no timetable for him to see spring training game action, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The longer Votto remains out of game action, the more likely it is that he'll begin the regular season on the IL. While he has been out, the Reds have split first base duties between Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jason Vosler. Interestingly enough, Wil Myers hasn't yet played first base, spending his time instead in right field this spring.

Votto (shoulder/biceps) said Wednesday that he remains without a timetable for when he'll be able to return to game action, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I want to make sure when I come back, I come back ready," Votto said. "It's not more complicated than that."

EDGE Analysis

The first baseman noted that he's been making good progress and is feeling good while he works his way back from August surgery to repair his left bicep along with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. Votto is expected to miss at least the first half of the Reds' Cactus League slate, and even if he's able to play in exhibition games in the second half of March, he could still require a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Votto (shoulder) took batting practice on Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto is expected to miss the first half of the Cactus League season in Arizona as he recovers from surgery to address a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. It's obviously a positive sign that the former MVP is able to swing the bat early in the spring season, however, and it stems to reason that he'll be ready to hit in the middle of the Cincinnati order at the start of the 2023 campaign.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) will likely miss the Reds' first handful of Cactus League games while the veteran first baseman begins ramping up, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto is on the mend from August surgery to address a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, but at this stage of the spring, the Reds are apparently optimistic that he still has sufficient time to complete the ramp-up process before Opening Day. Though Votto should have a near-everyday role at first base waiting for him once fully cleared, he looks to be little more than a low-end fantasy option at the position in light of his age, declining power and bat-to-ball skills along with the fact that he's returning from shoulder surgery. Before the shoulder injury cut short his 2022 campaign, Votto slashed a lowly .205/.319/.370 with a career-worst 25.8 percent strikeout rate in 376 plate appearances.