TORONTO –The Cincinnati RedsCanadian slugger activated Joey VottoGet off the injured lists before Friday's game TorontoFor the Blue Jays
Votto, a 16-season All-Star, hasn’t been able to play a lot in front local fans. There have been nine Rogers Centre games during which Votto hit three home runs, while going 8 for33 (.242) and seven RBI.
Votto, a Toronto native, was in the lineup Friday in the cleanup spot against Blue Jays left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu.
Votto has had a difficult start. He is hitting.122 in 22 games with no home runs, three RBI and 29 strikeouts in 74 at bats. He was last seen in Cincinnati on May 1.
Reds also put left-hander Friday Ross Detwilerplaced infielder on the bereavement roster Brandon Drury, outfielder Albert Almora, right-hander Joel KuhnelBoth right-hander Tyler MahleOn the restricted list
To enter the country, the Canadian government requires a person to have received a second COVID-19 vaccine dose – or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – at least 14 days before entry.
According to Major League Baseball's March agreement with the players' association, unvaccinated players are placed on the restricted roster. They do not receive any major league service time and are not paid.
Reds selected Aristides Aquino as outfielder, Tayler Motter as infielder and Graham Ashcraft (right-hander) to be their substitute players. All three of them were previously with Triple-A Louisville.
The Reds beat Cleveland 4-2 on Thursday with Mahle pitching 6 1/3 innings. This game was postponed after it was rained out Wednesday. Mahle had pitched at most four consecutive innings during the three-day period in Canada. The Reds stated that Mahle was necessary to be placed on the restricted roster.
