Reds first baseman Joey Votto was placed on the injured list on Wednesday after testing positive for COVID-19. Votto gave the club permission to disclose his condition.
This will certainly have consequences for the selection if Votto has to be absent for a longer period of time.
The setback stopped an unusually strong start in Spring Training for Votto, who is notorious for often coming out of the gate slowly. The sample size is small – just four games – but it’s 4-for-9 with a double and a walk.
Votto, 37, last played against the Giants on Sunday when he had two basehits, including a double to the wall in right midfield.
Winner of the 2010 National League MVP Award and six-time All-Star, Votto is looking for a recovery year in 2020. He has hit .252 / .356 / .421 for the past two seasons, with a league average of 100 OPS + – compared with his career mark of 149. Votto showed more power late last season, hitting eight home runs in his last 28 games while slugging .548.
Reds manager David Bell has a few options to replace Votto at first base. The most likely choice would be to transfer second baseman Mike Moustakas to first base.
Moustakas played first base in 14 games during his career, but last season there were 10 of those games and eight starts.
Outfielder Scott Heineman, trying to earn a spot on the 26-man roster, has experience at first base with the Rangers and played the position during the camp. Heineman got the start at first base on Wednesday vs. the Royals.
Other players who can man first base include utility player Alex Blandino, shortstop Kyle Farmer and non-roster invite Cheslor Cuthbert.