Votto On His Return From Shoulder Surgery

[Ron Madden]

Votto on return from shoulder surgery: ‘I’m happy with my progress’

Votto deemed himself happy with his progress.

“Rehab went well,” he said. “I’m happy with my progress. I was told I was doing well. I’m optimistic about playing well again. I feel good.

Despite the surgery, Votto ended the 2022 season high on several of the franchise’s career lists – fifth in games, third in runs, RBIs and total bases, fourth in hits, second in doubles, home runs and extra-base hits and first in walks. He has come to realize – again – that he somehow got away in 2022 from the approach that helped him climb those ladders.

“I became too much of a pull hitter,” he said. “I wasn’t balanced in my lower half.”

He recalled having going through the same issue while playing with the Single-A Dayton Dragons in 2003. He batted .231 in 60 games.

“I’m looking forward to making the adjustment,” he said.

He doesn’t expect Major League Baseball’s ban on infield shifts to have much of an impact on his return. New rules require defenses to have two players on each side of second base and all of them to have both feet on the infield dirt.

“That’s not a factor,” he said. “I’m not thinking about that.”
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article continues here:
https://www.daytondailynews.com/spor...FK55HBGKOQQGY/

[Ron Madden]

Votto's offseason plan: Get healthy, prep for big '23

Reds manager David Bell believed Votto might be ahead of schedule. His first swings weren't originally expected until around the turn of the new year.

The plan after the surgery was for Votto to hopefully be ready to go around the time Spring Training started.

"It’s great," Bell said. "I know he’s going to do everything he can. He’s going to want to be 100% ready to go, but with the way he works and his commitment, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s ready to go on time. But we’ll have to take it one step, one month at a time."
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https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/joey-v...or-2023-season

[Ron Madden]

Trey Hannam
@TJHannam10

Joey Votto: Incredible breakdown of his plan & why

watch & listen here:
https://twitter.com/TJHannam10/statu...C8_bLeuNYsAAAA

[Ron Madden]

Sounds like Joey is going back is original approach at the plate, hitting the ball low and hard up the middle.

[KronoRed]

I'm guessing he'll be in the best shape of his life.

[dubc47834]

I'm guessing he'll be in the best shape of his life.

That thread is in a few weeks.

[Ron Madden]

Joey Votto Discusses Rehab From Shoulder Surgery

Joey Votto had a frustrating 2022 season ended prematurely by a rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder that required surgery in August. The Reds expressed optimism at the time of the procedure their longtime first baseman would be ready to go by Spring Training, though Votto’s still amidst his rehab.

“It’s going to take time, I’m realizing now,” Votto told 700 WLW in Cincinnati.

I’ve been told by people that I’m doing very well in my rehab, but there is a difference between doing well and being ready for a Major League game if that makes sense.”

Asked whether he felt he’d be ready by the start of Spring Training, the former MVP demurred.

“I’d say I’m not willing to make that prediction just because I don’t know. I’ve never experienced anything like this. I try to manage my expectations, of course. I don’t know. I’m hopeful; I’m always hopeful.”

Votto expressed confidence he’d eventually get back to 100%, but he’s clearly not yet at that level. That’s not really a worrisome development at this stage.

It still seems possible he’ll be ready at or near the open of exhibition play. Even if he does wind up heading into Spring Training a week or two behind schedule, getting into game shape by Opening Day should be attainable.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/...r-surgery.html

[Ron Madden]

Votto's pragmatic take on rehab:
"I didn’t sign up for easy"

In 2021, Votto slugged 36 homers with 99 RBIs in 129 games. He still believes he can return to that level of success and hit the ball hard without compromising his technique.

"I was told I should get back to 100 percent, and that's where my head is at. I've been told not only from the doctors but also other athletes that have experienced it that it takes time.

Votto did not detail which athletes he's been in contact with. But he noted he was told to keep plugging away, even though it hasn't been an easy process to this point.

"That’s OK. I didn’t sign up for easy, I signed up for healthy," Votto said. "I’m looking forward to playing. I miss playing. I miss playing well. I think that with two healthy arms, I’m going to be able to play well again. I don’t have very much doubt about that.".

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/joey-v...rehab-progress

[JustaFan]

my comment may be off topic to this thread - I wonder why sports writers can access Joey Votto for excellent articles, but over the last two off-season years no journalist approached Moose to ask the same basic questions on how his rehab, how his commitment as in did he sign up for easy. my take is that other than doug gray, the reporters "signed up for easy"

[Kingspoint]

A 40-year old coming back from shoulder surgery.

Yeah. Good luck with that. Wasted roster spot (like Senzel's).

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my comment may be off topic to this thread - I wonder why sports writers can access Joey Votto for excellent articles, but over the last two off-season years no journalist approached Moose to ask the same basic questions on how his rehab, how his commitment as in did he sign up for easy. my take is that other than doug gray, the reporters "signed up for easy"

There's no doubt that Cincinnati reporters have always had a "can't talk about this" relationship with the Owners of the Bengals and Reds,...if they want to keep their jobs. All Owners try it in every city. Some are successful and some are not. It always has to do with the integrity of the local media personnel who have control of the firing and job assignments of reporters.

[Old school 1983]

A 40-year old coming back from shoulder surgery.

Yeah. Good luck with that. Wasted roster spot (like Senzel's).

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There's no doubt that Cincinnati reporters have always had a "can't talk about this" relationship with the Owners of the Bengals and Reds,...if they want to keep their jobs. All Owners try it in every city. Some are successful and some are not. It always has to do with the integrity of the local media personnel who have control of the firing and job assignments of reporters.

Votto is also a team icon and most likely a future HOF. If he spends the whole year on the DL he’s earned the benefit of the doubt of a roster spot.

[mbgrayson]

Votto is also a team icon and most likely a future HOF. If he spends the whole year on the DL he’s earned the benefit of the doubt of a roster spot.

Of course if he spends the whole season on the DL, he won't take up a roster spot.

I think he will have a solid comeback year.

[JCM11]

I have to admit I'm not very optimistic about Votto's return. 39+ year olds as everyday players isn't a thing in current MLB. He needs to be used as a DH some and given days off vs LHP. Maybe around 400 PA vs mostly RHP I could see him putting decent numbers. If they try to run him out there for 500+ PA I have my doubts.

[BCubb2003]

It seems like Votto’s updates have gone from “happy with my progress” to ominous undertones.

[757690]

I will be disappointed if Votto doesn’t start the season ala Willy Wonka, by using a cane to slowly walk up to the plate for his first at bat, then stop, let go of the cane, then summersault and spring into the batters box.