Joey Votto in Buffalo: 6-time All-Star to start for Triple-A Bisons in push for Major League return

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Joey Votto's effort to return to the Major Leagues will take a big step Friday when he debuts for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Votto, a 40-year-old first basemen with a career worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, has been working his way back to form since signing a minor league contract with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays in March.

Officially, the Blue Jays returned Votto from his Minor League injury rehab assignment and assigned him to Buffalo. But unofficially, this is Votto's chance to sink or swim at the highest level beneath Major League Baseball.

Votto, a six-time All-Star, struggled in 2023 after returning from surgery on his left biceps and rotator cuff. It was the final year of a massive contract he signed with the Cincinnati Reds, the only team he has ever played for. Votto didn't receive a Major League offer this spring, but took the Minor League opportunity with Toronto.

Votto's comeback was delayed by an ankle injury in spring training, but he finally returned to game action in mid-June. Between 16 games with Toronto's rookie-level team and the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, Votto posted a .186 batting average, .321 on-base percentage and .326 slugging percentage with one home run and 8 RBIs -- numbers that will need to improve before he merits a call to the Majors.

For Toronto, dreams of Votto's veteran presence pushing the Jays to a World Series have faded as the team slumped to a 44-52 first-half record, 9.5 games out of playoff position. Still, Votto's callup could mark a warm ending to the legendary Canadian's career. A hot streak could even generate interest from contenders ahead of the trade deadline.

But before that happens, Votto will need to prove he can still reach base against top-flight pitching. The Bisons open up a nine-game homestand at Sahlen Field Friday against the Yankees affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at 7:05 p.m.