Will Joey Votto be promoted from Triple-A Buffalo to the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the Cincinnati Reds’ three-game series in Toronto on August 19-21?
That’s the million-dollar question, and Jays manager John Schneider sounded like it was a possibility Tuesday after Votto hit a home run for the Bisons on Sunday and helped Buffalo beat the Worcester Red Sox last Friday.
“You sign him for a reason,” Schneider said, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. “I think you make room for him. And I think having a guy like him here on the team is very helpful.”
The six-time National League All-Star and former Reds first baseman joined Buffalo on July 19, but the team announced shortly before the first pitch that he would not start because he had sprained his right ankle before the game.
In early July, Votto hit his first home run while on rehab for the Jays’ Low-A affiliate in Dunedin, Florida.
Votto had a .294 batting average with 356 home runs in 17 seasons with Cincinnati. He missed several games in June with a lower back injury and is rehabbing an ankle injury sustained in spring training.
In March, he signed a minor league contract with his hometown Jays.
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This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Joey Votto’s promotion to the MLB Toronto Blue Jays appears imminent
