Joey Votto suffers tough setback amid MLB comeback attempt

Votto reinjured his right ankle during pregame warmups before the team’s contest against the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRaiders.

After a lengthy wait that included some hilarious social media posts, Votto signed a  minor league deal with the Blue Jays in March. Votto homered off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Wheeler in his only spring training at-bat. However, the 40-year-old hurt his ankle in the dugout later in the game after stepping on a bat.

While Friday’s injury was to the same ankle that had sidelined Votto for three months, it doesn’t appear to be nearly as severe.

Votto had played 16 games in the lower levels before being moved up to Triple-A. He had spent his entire 17-year MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds before signing with his hometown Blue Jays.