Joey Votto News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 29

MLB.com

"Reds first baseman Joey Votto's sizzling week, during which he hit .560 to lead the league, has earned him honors as the National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending Sept. 27. Votto went 14-for-25 for streaking Cincinnati, with 10 of the hits doubles. That put him in position to also lead the NL with a slugging percentage of 1.080. The 10 doubles came in the five-game span, Tuesday-through-Saturday, a concentrated display not seen in 77 years. Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner did it for the Pirates in 1932."

Votto sits; Phillips' wrist not broken

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September 2

Dayton Daily News

"Joey Votto should consider it a compliment, but when your batting average is disappearing like a 401-K, compliments don't soothe the pain. Votto was 0 for 15 with six strikeouts so Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker gave Votto a comfortable seat in the dugout for Tuesday's game. "Joey needs it and deserves it," said Baker. "His concentration isn't quite there. Usually he is at a very high level of concentration. I can tell he is frustrated. He doesn't get angry, but he has been getting angry lately and you can tell. "Teams are pitching him tough. When you get to a certain level of excellence, they are going to throw 94 to him when they're throwing 91-92 to everyone else. And that's the ..."

Blurry vision forces Votto to exit game

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August 20

MLB.com

"Reds first baseman Joey Votto left in the first inning of Wednesday's game against the Giants after he experienced blurry vision. Votto was replaced by Kevin Barker after the top of the first inning. Reds manager Dusty Baker said Votto is expected to be re-evaluated Thursday morning. "He came up on that foul ball in the first inning and said he couldn't see," Baker said. "When a player tells you that, an alarm goes off." Votto missed 21 games from May 30 to June 23 with depression and anxiety related to the death of his father last year. He missed several games and had to leave others earlier in May with dizziness caused by an inner-ear infection. The Reds went 8-13 in his absence. Baker ..."

Votto About To Fill Vacancy?

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June 23

KYPost.com

"Last Thursday, Hall of Fame Baseball writer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, told Marty Brennaman during their second inning visit, that he would be on the non-stop flight from Cincinnati to Toronto Tuesday morning. But what made Hal's travel plans intriguing was that he predicted Reds disabled infielder Joey Votto might well be on the flight with him. Joey won't have to take his shoes off going through security at CVG after all. He was on the Reds charter flight to his home town Monday night and according to MLB.com, could well be in the lineup when the Reds resume interleague play versus the Jays Tuesday night. His return would be most welcome because as we've discussed before, this ..."

Reds' Votto remains mysterious

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June 22

Cincinnati Enquirer

columnist Paul Daugherty

"Joey Votto will tell us what hurts, but not now. He'll play again for the Reds when he knows he's ready. That could be Tuesday in Toronto, it could be a few days later in Cleveland. It could be later than that. Votto's condition is his, and it is unique. It doesn't bend to a whim, a schedule or the Reds depressing offense. All he knows is, he started two games at first base for the Class A Dayton Dragons this weekend, and felt good about it. He was relaxed at the plate, he hit a tape-measure home run. He didn't have to come out of either game. After Sunday's game, Votto declared himself renewed or healed or ready. Or whatever we'd like to call it. It's a different deal with this injury. ..."

Votto: Put me in, Dusty, I'm ready

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June 22

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Reds' offensive woes could ease this week, if Joey Votto has his way. Votto has been on the disabled list since May 29, with what the club termed "stress-related'' issues. But after a two-game, weekend stint with the Class A Dayton Dragons, the first baseman said Sunday he was ready to return to the big-league club, perhaps as early as Tuesday in Toronto. "I felt great out there,'' said Votto. In two games with the Dragons, Votto had three hits, a home run and three RBI. More importantly, Votto said, was being able to play consecutive, nine-inning games without having to leave the game. "It had been such a struggle, getting through games,'' he said. "Getting through nine was a top ..."

Votto's progress makes Dusty smile

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June 22

Dayton Daily News

"Dusty Baker's face broke into a wide grin when he was told that the first pitch Joey Votto saw in Dayton's Fifth Third Field ended up outside the ballpark on Sears Street. "That's unbelievable - first pitch he saw?" Baker said. "Damn, Joey? He's stealing bases (three in one game in Sarasota, one in Dayton), three hits. Boy, it will be nice to get him back." Baker would like to have Votto back pronto, like three days ago, but knows it isn't feasible and said, "We have to be careful not to rush him. Sounds like he's rushing himself, doesn't it?" When told that Votto was talking about leaving Dayton to play more rehab games either at Class AA Carolina or Class AAA Louisville (no quick jump to ..."

Votto homer on first pitch back clears park

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June 21

Dayton Daily News

"Joey Votto took a lot of batting practice at Fifth Third Field Saturday, June 20, getting ready for his rehab assignment with the Dayton Dragons. It must have worked. Votto blasted the first pitch he saw from West Michigan's Mark Sorensen over the right field fence, grassy knoll, sidewalk and fence and onto Sears Street for a two-run homer. After that, Votto grounded out, walked and stole a base, singled and scored a second run, then was called out on a pitch that appeared to be outside in the ninth. He questioned home plate umpire Taro Hamano, but you know how that goes. In all it was a successful night for Votto, if not the Dragons, who lost 8-7. When he was with the Dragons as a ..."

Votto finding his batting eye

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June 20

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Joey Votto played another rehab game in Florida on Friday, and the Reds heard positive reports. Votto went 2-for-4 with a single, double, two walks and three stolen bases in an intrasquad game in Sarasota. The squads included Gulf Coast Rookie League players who are in extended spring training, along with some of the recently signed Reds 2009 draftees. Votto's next stop probably will be Single-A Dayton, possibly Saturday and Sunday. "At some point, yes," general manager Walt Jocketty said of the Dayton stint. "We haven't talked to him yet to see what he wants." Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker said the Votto news was positive. "He did pretty good," Baker said. "The three stolen bases makes ..."

Votto's destination unknown

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June 19

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Joey Votto's minor league rehab has only one live game scheduled for now. Votto was scheduled to play six innings with the Sarasota Reds in a Florida State League game Thursday night. But that is the last one for the team before its All-Star break. The Reds have a camp at the facility at Ed Smith Stadium as well. "He'll stay there through the weekend and get at-bats at the camp," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Votto will likely go elsewhere to get at-bats against live pitching next week. Double-A Carolina is at home; Louisville is on the road. "We'll tell you when we decide," Jocketty said. How long Votto remains on rehab is up in the air. Reds manager Dusty Baker said Votto ..."

Votto ready to do rehab

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June 18

Dayton Daily News

"Joey Votto, wearing his red Cincinnati Reds batting practice jersey, patted owner Bob Castellini on the shoulder after a short chat near the backstop at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, June 17, then disappeared into the clubhouse. He probably won't be seen in this ballpark again until the end of the month, when the Reds return from a trip to Toronto and Cleveland. For the rest of this home-stand and during the trip Votto will be in Florida with Class A Sarasota, doing rehab in preparation for a return to the Reds. Most likely, his first game will be June 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "He said he is feeling a lot better," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "His stroke is so short ..."

Votto begins rehab assignment

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June 18

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Joey Votto will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Thursday in Sarasota, Fla. The first baseman has been on the disabled list since May 30 with stress-related issues. He took batting practice Wednesday on the field at Great American Ball Park and looked impressive. But Reds manager Dusty Baker is pointing toward a June 30 return. That's the day the Reds return from their upcoming road trip to Toronto and Cleveland. "We want him ready in all departments," Baker said. "It could be sooner. I'd rather have him super ready for those last three months. But if he calls and says he's ready - Joey knows himself pretty good for a young man and he's honest." The offense has struggled in ..."

Reds know Votto will help

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June 18

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Joey Votto's return will be a huge boost to the Reds. Even if Votto's return is still two weeks away - as manager Dusty Baker suggests - it might explain why the Reds have stood pat recently even as the team struggled. When asked if the team would add payroll through a trade, CEO Bob Castellini said: "We've got some flexibility. We're not looking. We've got some key guys in sick bay right now." Votto, Edwin Encarnacion and Edinson Volquez are all on the disabled list. All will likely return before the All-Star break (July 14). Encarnacion (wrist) and Votto (stress) took batting practice together Wednesday afternoon. Both hit the ball extremely well. Encarnacion reported no pain. He will ..."

Votto, Encarnacion, Volquez not quite ready

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June 17

Cincinnati Enquirer

"First baseman Joey Votto, third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and right-hander Edinson Volquez are closer to coming back. All took another step toward returning Tuesday. But none of the three is particularly close, i.e., they won't play on this six-game homestand. Here are the most recent updates: • Votto (stress-related issues): "He hit today," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's looking good, a lot better. He'll work out with the team. It's good to see him around." The next step is a minor-league assignment. Votto again declined to talk to the media, and the Reds are reluctant to put a firm timetable on his return. But Baker said Votto will begin his minor-league rehab "relatively soon." • ..."

No indication when Votto might return

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June 7

Dayton Daily News

"Joey Votto is eligible to come off the disabled list a week from today, but he won't. Those are the sad words spoken by manager Dusty Baker. Asked point blank if Votto would be ready when DL time expires June 14, Baker said, "Probably not. We're not there yet, but we'll probably send him out on rehab when he does come back because he hasn't hit in a while. I know he's 'The Natural,' but he ain't that natural." The manager and the disabled first baseman (stress) chatted Friday as Votto watched batting practice in civilian clothes, and Baker said he was encouraged. Baker also said, though, that he had no indication when Votto might start doing baseball stuff. I have nothing more to tell ..."

Votto on scene in street clothes

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June 6

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Reds first baseman Joey Votto was at Great American Ball Park Friday night. He watched batting practice in street clothes. He declined to speak to the media. He chatted with teammates and made small talk. He seemed in good spirits. "I talked to him," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He sounded good, sounded better." Votto has been on the disabled list since May 30 with stress related issues. Votto is eligible to come off the DL June 14 - a week from Sunday. Baker said he still did not have a time frame for Votto's return. The nature of Votto's problem is something of a mystery. He missed time with the flu and then with dizziness, which at the time was said to be from an inner-ear infection. ..."

Baker empathizes with Votto

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June 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"With the Reds playing the St. Louis Cardinals the next four days, the topic of stress and baseball is going to come up often. Each club has a player on the disabled list, dealing with issues that aren't entirely physical. The Cardinals placed shortstop Khalil Greene on the DL with social anxiety the day before the Reds put Joey Votto on the DL with stress-related issues. Greene has talked about his problem. He has a trouble dealing with failure. "It's difficult for me right now," Greene told St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's difficult for me to manage that. I don't know how many people can relate to it. It's so strong. It's a very intense feeling and it's very unpleasant. It's not life ..."

Reds mum on Votto's trip to DL

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May 31

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Reds placed Joey Votto on the disabled list Saturday, citing stress. At Votto's request, team officials wouldn't discuss the nature of Votto's problem much beyond what was in the two-line press release. "He's dealing with a personal issue," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He wants us to respect his privacy about it. And he's dealing with it." Reds general manager Walt Jocketty took the same tack. "There's nothing more to add to it," he said. "Joey needs some time away to deal with something that is affecting his ability to play at the level he wants to play at. "So we gave him the time." Votto, the club's MVP to this point, left three games with symptoms thought to be related to an ..."

Votto has inner ear infection

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May 21

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Reds trainer Mark Mann met with reporters in manager Dusty Baker's office this morning and gave the diagnosis regarding Joey Votto's recent bouts with dizziness: Inner ear infection (left ear). Votto is on anti-inflammatory medication and was to do light workouts and hitting before the game today, then again tomorrow. Votto is not in the lineup today, but the Reds expect him back on the field "in the next few days," team spokesman Rob Butcher said. Baker said he was "thankful and grateful" with the news. "I'm just glad they found what it was, No. 1," Baker said. "There was a lot of stuff floating around out there, a lot of neighborhood doctors." Drs. Stephen Cleves (internist) and Reds ..."

No diagnosis yet for Votto's dizziness

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May 20

MLB.com

"For now, the reasons behind Reds first baseman Joey Votto's dizziness will continue to keep everyone in suspense. Votto, who was out of the lineup again for Cincinnati's series opener against Philadelphia, saw more doctors Tuesday, but declined to discuss his condition. All that is known is he has more doctor visits on the docket. "Joey has undergone a series of tests at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego and here in Cincinnati, and we have more tests scheduled over the next few days," Reds head trainer Mark Mann said in a statement released by the club. "After those additional tests, we will be more prepared to discuss the cause of his dizziness." In other words, no one knows yet why Votto ..."

Doctors still trying to find what ails Votto

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May 20

Dayton Daily News

"Tests, tests, tests and more tests. That's the life of Joey Votto these days - probed, punctured and peered at. And still nothing. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman underwent tests Monday at the E.W. Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif. He underwent more tests Tuesday, May 19, in Cincinnati. And there are more to come in an attempt to determine why Votto is suffering dizziness and an inability to focus. "Joey has undergone a series of tests at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego and here in Cincinnati, and we have more tests scheduled over the next few days," Reds trainer Mark Mann said. "After those additional tests, we will be more prepared to discuss the cause of his dizziness." Votto was in ..."

Reds to examine Votto Tuesday

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May 19

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Less than a week after they briefly claimed a share of the division lead, the Reds open a nine-game homestand today, their second-longest of the season, under significantly different circumstances: They're mired in their first three-game losing streak. Their next opponent is hardly tailor-made for skid-snapping: The defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies are here for three games starting tonight. Despite shaky starting pitching, the Phillies are coming off a four-game sweep of Washington. First baseman Joey Votto's status for the Phillies series, and beyond, is still very much up in the air. Votto, who twice left games with dizziness last week after missing five with the flu, was ..."

Dizziness benches Votto a second time

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May 18

Dayton Daily News

"The mysterious ailment that is plaguing Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto concerns manager Dusty Baker, but he doesn't know how concerned to be. "You don't know what to be concerned about because we don't know what it is," said Baker. For the second time on this trip, Votto left a game Saturday with dizziness after leaving a game Tuesday in Arizona. "This one was similar to the one in Arizona, only not quite as bad," said Votto. "I can't focus. I get dizzy and I can't see straight." Votto wasn't in Sunday's lineup, but his name was on the card as Baker's only lefthanded pinch-hitter and when asked if he would use him, Baker said, "I hope not. "Something has to be wrong for him ..."

Still a little woozy, Votto not in lineup

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May 14

Dayton Daily News

"Joey Votto was woozy and he was dizzy as he stood at first base, a condition he called, "Really, really odd and scary." A few moments later, the Cincinnati Reds first baseman was staggering off the field, his arm around Reds manager Dusty Baker's shoulder, and that bothered him, which is vintage Votto. "I thought it was really embarrassing," Votto said. "It wasn't that I did anything to justify being embarrassed, it was just I don't like to come out in the middle of a game out of respect to my teammates." That was Tuesday, May 12, in the fourth inning of the Reds' 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and even though a parade of doctors checked him after the game and discovered nothing ..."

Bout of dizziness perplexes Votto

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May 14

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Joey Votto no longer was feeling dizzy, but the episode that forced him to leave Tuesday's game still had him a little shaken up. "It came out of nowhere," he said Wednesday. "It was really, really odd and scary." Votto was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he hopes to play Friday when the Reds open a three-game series in San Diego. The Reds are off today. "I had two lineups," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Nobody knows how you feel but you. I asked him how he felt. He said pretty close to how he felt (Tuesday) night." Votto was making his second start Tuesday since missing four starts with a flu-like illness. He first felt a bit off ..."

Votto returns to lineup with bang

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May 11

MLB.com

"Joey Votto wasted no time at all. Finally released from the grasps of a flu that had kept him out for three games, Votto returned with a bang, drilling a home run after entering Sunday's 8-7 loss in the seventh inning on a double switch. The crowd of 27,664 fans cheered loudly when Votto entered the game at first base. The change had him batting ninth and leading off the bottom of the seventh. Receiving a low 1-0 pitch from Cardinals reliever Kyle McClellan, Votto lifted a shot into the left-field seats for his fourth home run of the season. Although Votto is batting .376 this season and has been the club's most dependable hitter, he wasn't missed as much as expected. The Reds entered ..."