Joey Votto's horrendous performance likely prevents Reds' nightmare from coming true

The Cincinnati Reds are currently battling the Kansas City Royals and are trying to remain afloat in the race for a spot in the MLB Postseason. But there's absolutely no way for Reds fans to ignore the potential that exists when David Bell's ball club heads north of the border on Monday.

The Reds will trek to the Great White North for a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. What was seen a potential revenge series for former Reds' great Joey Votto is now unlikely to happen. Why? Because Votto has been downright awful this season.

To his credit, many of Votto's struggles in 2024 can be attributed to injuris that he's endured this season. Votto signed with his hometown Blue Jays this offseason, but hasn't even made it back to The Show since signing a minor-league deal back in early-March. The former NL MVP took his first swing of spring training and sent the ball over the fence. Unfortunately for Votto, he tripped over a bat upon his return to the dugout and injured hist ankle.

It's hard to see Joey Votto playing vs. the Reds on Monday

That kept Votto on the shelf for months, but eventually the six-time All-Star finally got back onto the field in mid-June. Votto started a rehab assignment with the Jays' Low-A affiliate but hit just .216 during his 12-game stay in Dunedin. Votto was then sidelined again with injury and returned to a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo in early-August.

Since Votto has made it back to the minors, the former Reds' slugger is hitting .166/.289/.258. Even worse is Votto's horrendous 47.4% strikeout rate. Votto's recent stretch of poor play hardly justifies a call-up to the big leagues just to face his old team.

But don't be shocked if that does occur. After all, the Blue Jays are no threat to make a run at the playoffs this season, so in order to sell some tickets, it is conceivable for Toronto to call up Votto ahead of the series against Cincinnati.

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