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Votto likely to play for Reds in Toronto

Instead of continuing rehab, Reds 1B flew with team to his hometown.

Jennalee Ziegler Joey Votto runs to the dugout after the third inning during the Dragons game on Saturday, June 20, 2009.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 8:50 AM Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TORONTO — It looks as if Joey Votto is going to try for his triumphant return with the Cincinnati Reds in front of his hometown friends and relatives today, June 23, in Roger Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Reds confirmed that Votto was on the team charter flight to Toronto Monday. Although they wouldn’t confirm that he is coming off the disabled list to play, why would he accompany the team instead of continuing a rehab assignment if he wasn’t going to play?

So look for Votto and his .357 average, eight home runs and 33 RBIs to be playing first base and batting third tonight.

Votto has been on the disabled list since May 30 with stress-related issues. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Sarasota last week and played six innings of one game, then played a full intrasquad game the next day with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Reds.

On Saturday and Sunday he played two games, nine innings both times, for the Class A Dayton Dragons and talked his way with general manager Walt Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker into making the trip.

The Reds hope Votto can inject some punch into a lifeless offense.

And while the Reds are poised on the precipice of once again falling below .500, they received even more bad news.

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez underwent surgery Monday to remove bone chips from his elbow and won’t return for four to six weeks.

That means for the immediate future the Reds will have Jerry Hairston Jr. (10 for his last 60, .167) at shortstop and Adam Rosales (4 for his last 46, .070) at third base. Edwin Encarnacion is on rehab at Class AAA Louisville, but hasn’t played since late April and most likely needs a lot of at bats.