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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > June > 17 > Entry
Votto to start rehab assignment tomorrow
Joey Votto, noticeably lighter, walked past a small gathering of writers near the batting cage early this afternoon and I asked, “Joey, are going out on rehab?”
“Yes,” he said.
“When,” I said.
“Tonight,” he said.
“Where?” I said.
“Florida,” he said.
That was it - the longest interview I’ve had with Votto since he went on the DL May 30 with stress-related issues.
Florida, of course, is Class A Sarasota in the Florida State League and the fact he is beginning game action is outstanding news for the Cincinnati Reds.
“He said he is feeling a lot better,” said manager Dusty Baker. “His stroke is so short and compact that his timing will be easier to get than it would for most guys. We have to make sure he doesn’t pull anything, that he gets his wind back. It is sort of like going back to spring training for him, so to speak.”
But this isn’t going to take six weeks. Baker is guessing that Votto might return after the Reds come back from a six-day trip to Toronto and Cleveland that begins Tuesday and ends a week from Sunday.
For sure Votto would love to return in time to play in his hometown, Toronto, but that’s six days away and Baker said, “That’s too soon.”
Said Baker, “We want him to come back right and it sure will be a pleasure and a joy to get him back.” For sure, a joy to get Joey.
Of his thin stature, Baker said Votto looks as if he has gained some of it back, but he isi still thinner than when he went on the DL. “You can tell he is gaining it back in his neck and his face.”
Baker said Votto probably would tell him he is ready quicker than he is actually ready. But not Toronto, “Even though he’d like to play there. But Toronto is Tuesday . You always want to go home, but if he starts Thursday on rehab, that ain’t enough time. I’m thinking, realistically, after this road trip. His legs are going to be sore from running and bending up and down at first base. If everything goes right, probably when we come home. That’s 10 days for him - but it could be sooner.
“I’d rather have him super ready these next three months,” Baker added. “If he calls and says he’s ready, well, for a young man Joey knows himself pretty well. He’s honest.”
Votto and owner Bob Castellini huddled near a wall in front of the home plate screen during batting practice and chatted for several minutes. Castellini patted Votto on the shoulders and Votto returned the gesture as he walked toward the clubhouse to head for Florida.
ALSO, the Reds lost pitcher Mike Lincoln and gained pitcher Josh Roenicke. dLincoln was placed on the DL with a bulging disc in his neck, an injury he tried to hide from the team. Roenicke was recalled from Class AAA Louisville.
“He had it for a while, but he didn’t want to say anything,” said Baker. “He thought he was letting the team down already and I told him, ‘Hey, man. This is just making it worse.’ That’s nothing to play with - neck, back or spine problems. He said he was trying to fight through it, especially all the time he was on the DL before (three years with Tommy John surgery) that the last thing he wanted to do was go back on the DL.
“I understand that, but it is not quite hero time yet,” Baker said. “It’s admirable whenl your guys want to play, want to pitch and contribute, but hopefully now we can get it straight and he can come back and be the Linc that we know.”
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By Artrian
June 18, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this
Actually Sec 312 Votto makes 437,500 he is still under team control and is not making millions. Also I don’t know what kind of business’s you have worked for but they do tend to have stress counseling and HR for support of issues that bother people unless you worked in some shady awful places employers will want to help you through your problems so you can come back and be productive for the company.
By Scott
June 18, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this
In all seriousness I am glad he’ll be back. We should all attend his first game and give him a standing-o.
By Scott
June 18, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
Yeah but Kenny G wouldn’t it be funny if we had a Clemens moment here? We could have a female announcer scream: “OMG JOEY VOTTO IS IN BOB’S BOX. OMG! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! OMG JOEY VOTTO IS BACK!!!!”
By C. Hays
June 18, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
Get all the pieces back, Votto, Volquez & Edwin. It is doable. The Cubs & Cards do not seem able to take control. Everbody’s pitching is suspect except the Reds.
By Kenny G
June 18, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
yeah man, Everyone knows, and if you have read Reds blogs, articles, watched the Reds on TV, or listened to the Reds on 700, you should know that Joey Votto has more heart than most players EVER to play the game. He cares a lot more about the Reds and winning that you do. Give him a break. I hope the press goes easy on him when he comes back and lets him just play baseball for a while, then ask him questions once he has his mind and body back…. good thing he doesn’t play for NY, the press there would be ripping Votto apart right now though.
By Blogcopwatcher
June 18, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Sometimes there is stress, and sometimes there is STRESS. Give it a rest moron.
By sec 312
June 18, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
don’t get me wrong, I love the Reds and Votto…BUT, I’m sorry he signed a contract to play..he sees the team struggling…how can you take the money, sit back while letting the team and his teammates down down? How would this play out at your job?? Personally I thinks its BS…its baseball and he is getting millions I know this is a different view…..but if I am a member of the team..I’m thinking hey man we need you…and you are letting us down…if I stayed home every time I was stressed I would not have a job
By Toledo Red
June 18, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
The problem when Votto comes back is the only other guy in our lineup who hits over .300 will be back on the bench. Pitching can only carry us so far. The other bats have to get going ssoon
By Brian A
June 18, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Can’t believe a team gets 4 hits the top 5 go 0-17 and win! Wow, Braves are reeeling but this lineup is to be desired. Maybe being a businessman special some others will get the sstart today. Sweep would be nice.
By Mike
June 18, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this
Do one thing today..MOVE Hannigan to 2nd in the order. Catchers don’t have to bat 8th. He is a contact hitter, his stats speak for themselvs.
By Mike-Cinci
June 18, 2009 7:27 AM | Link to this
Very nice work by Owings, Rhodes, Weathers, Cordero, Hanigan, Hernandez, Gonzalez, Phillips last night; good use of bullpen by Baker. Nice win! Reds in third place only 3 behind.
By AP-FLORIDA
June 18, 2009 6:35 AM | Link to this
How about Owings at 3rd?
By BrarHopper
June 18, 2009 12:12 AM | Link to this
BCW, you took the words right outta my post! Good thing they have a pitcher who can hit. It continues to amaze that Baker is idiot enough to lead off two loser BAs .224 & .219. A manager with a working brain would sit that do-nothing Traveras for Dickerson and push A-gon way down in the order where he belongs and the sake of Jeezus, play Janish at 3rd! Gawd that Baker is dense. He seems to get dumber by the day. Like he’s trying to lose. BTW Hal, you maligned my brother-in-law HuberTucky on your blog and hadn’t even posted. You probably were taking a shot at me and missed. You might owe HT one.
By Blogcopwatcher
June 17, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
Four Hits, and Taveras and Gonzo hitting #1 and #2—AND THEY FRICKIN’ WON! Another error by Taveras, no hits, and the best centerfielder still sits!
By John496
June 17, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this
Very nice site!
By John1240
June 17, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this
Very nice site!
By John519
June 17, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this
Very nice site!
By Gary Maloy Jr
June 17, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
I understand he has a winter residence in Sarasota. Probably just a move made to make it easier for him. I agree with Chuck - ‘taint’ none of our damned beezwax. Let it be, people. BTW. Ramon Hernandez is our starting catcher (who has done an incredible job manning 1st base - did you guys see his pick of Gonzo’s shorthop the other night?!). Anyway, Joey Votto is our starting first baseman, and Edwin Encarnacion is our starting third baseman. Is it REALLY that hard to understand?
By Joe
June 17, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this
Why not send him to Dayton for rehab? Is Sarasota a higher level A than Dayton? Maybe they want him to fly to see if that has any effect.
By Texas
June 17, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
Re: Mike Lincoln —the NEXT TIME a Red goes through several weeks of terrible performance and then acknowledges he had an injury that he was hiding, he should be fined and suspended. It’s getting to be a sorry story that steals wins away from the club …
By Matt
June 17, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
he played there already this season
By IamChuck
June 17, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
“Hard to understand you are cured if you don’t know what made you sick?” Just because they are respecting his privacy, doesn’t mean that they don’t understand the nature of his condition. None of our business
By IamChuck
June 17, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
“Hard to understand you are cured if you don’t know what made you sick?” Just because they are respecting his privacy, doesn’t mean that they don’t understand the nature of his condition. None of our business
By Philip Palmer
June 17, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this
Hard to understand you are cured if you don’t know what made you sick?
By Michael
June 17, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope he is ready to play when he gets back. The team needs him. Weird thought: could Hernandez play third now and then?