Votto placed on injured list with COVID-19 symptoms

August 2, 2020

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Cincinnati Reds have placed Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) on their injured list after the Canadian first baseman reported experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The Reds made the announcement on Sunday morning.

According to Bobby Nightengale Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Votto reported his symptoms to the Reds on Sunday, but the Canuck slugger has not tested positive for the virus.

The club noted specifically that Votto has been placed on the injured list (IL) and not the 10-day IL. The significance of this is that there there’s no minimum or maximum number of days that he must remained sidelined.

The 36-year-old Votto, now in his 14th season with the Reds, is batting .259 with two home runs in seven games so far this season.

For his career, the six-time all-star and 2010 National League MVP owns a .306 batting average and a .421 on-base percentage and has hit 286 home runs.

The Reds announced that right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, a former Toronto Blue Jays prospect, has been activated from the 10-day IL to replace Votto on the roster. DeSclafani will start the Reds’ first game on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers if the weather cooperates.