Joey Votto to Buffalo: Six-time All-Star, starter for Triple-A Bisons eyeing major league return

FILE – Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto stands on the field during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Cincinnati, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Votto’s $20 million option for 2024 was declined Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, by the Reds, making the first baseman a free agent and possibly ending his career with Cincinnati after 17 seasons. Votto will get a $7 million buyout, completing a contract that guaranteed $251.5 million over 12 seasons. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Joey Votto’s effort to return to the major leagues will take a big step forward Friday when he makes his debut with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Votto, a 40-year-old first baseman with a Hall of Fame career, has returned to form since signing a minor league contract with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays in March.

Officially, the Blue Jays have released Votto from his minor league injury rehab assignment and assigned him to Buffalo. But unofficially, this is Votto’s chance to sink or swim at the highest level below Major League Baseball.

Votto, a six-time All-Star, struggled in 2023 after returning from left biceps and rotator cuff surgery. It was the final year of a massive contract he signed with the Cincinnati Reds, the only team he ever played for. Votto didn’t receive a major league offer this spring but took a minor league opportunity with Toronto.

Votto’s return was delayed by an ankle injury in training camp, but he finally returned to action in mid-June. Between 16 games with Toronto’s Rookie-level team and the Class A Dunedin Blue Jays, Votto posted a .186 batting average, .321 on-base percentage and .326 slugging percentage with one home run and eight RBIs – numbers that will need to improve before he earns a call-up to the major leagues.

For Toronto, hopes of veteran Votto propelling the Jays to a World Series have faded as the team went 44-52 in the first half, 9.5 games out of a playoff spot. Still, Votto’s call-up could mark a happy ending to the legendary Canadiens’ career. A hot streak could even spark interest from contenders before the trade deadline.

But before that happens, Votto will have to prove he can still reach base against top-notch pitching. The Bisons open a nine-game home series at Sahlen Field on Friday against the Yankees’ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at 7:05 p.m.