Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff on Friday.
Votto, 38, was formally placed on the 60-day injured list. The Reds also activated infielder Mike Moustakas (calf) from the 10-day injured list and moved infielder Donovan Solano from the paternity list to the restricted list.
“Joey this morning had successful surgery to repair his left rotator cuff and bicep,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said in a statement. “The surgery was a little more than expected. The injury definitely limited the use of his left shoulder and affected his performance, but we expect he will be able to participate in spring training and be ready for the 2023 season.”
Votto, a six-time All-Star first baseman, told reporters on Wednesday that he believes he initially injured the rotator cuff during the 2015 season. He had been able to play through the injury in past seasons but a recent MRI exam pinpointing the damage led to the decision to have it repaired.
Votto batted just .205 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs in 91 games this season. His on-base percentage was just .319.
Votto was the National League MVP in 2010 and batted over .300 eight times in a nine-year span earlier in his career. He also has led the NL in on-base percentage seven times.
His career numbers include a .297 batting average, .412 on-base percentage, 342 homers and 1,106 RBIs in 1,991 games over 16 seasons, all with the Reds.
Votto is under contract for $25 million in 2023, the final season of a 10-year, $225 million deal. The Reds hold a $20 million option for 2024 with a $7 million buyout.
Moustakas is batting fourth and playing first base for Friday night’s game against the host Pittsburgh Pirates. He was injured Aug. 8.
Moustakas, 33, is batting just .200 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 73 games this season. Overall, he has a .247 career average with 202 homers and 631 RBIs across 1,310 games over 12 seasons with the Kansas City Royals (2011-18), Milwaukee Brewers (2018-19) and Reds (2020-22).
Solano was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday. Friday marks his third straight absence.
Solano, 34, is batting .310 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 43 games during his first season in Cincinnati. The nine-year veteran has a .279 career average with 26 homers and 198 RBIs in 649 games with the Miami Marlins (2012-15), New York Yankees (2016), San Francisco Giants (2019-21) and the Reds.
–Field Level Media