Reds first baseman Joey Votto is out for the year with shoulder surgery scheduled for Friday

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto's 2022 season has come to an end. The six-time All-Star will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Friday. The hope is that Votto is able to rehab and be back in time for spring training.

Votto, like so many players on the Reds roster this season, has struggled mightily in 2022. Votto has hit the IL a couple times this season already and was hitting just .205/.319/.370 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs this season.

Matt Reynolds was in the lineup during Wednesday's game and was playing first base while also occupying Votto's spot in the batting order. The versatile utility player went 0-4 in the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Reds 1B Joey Votto will miss the rest of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury.

The season-ending surgery for Joey Votto just adds to the laundry list of injuries the Cincinnati Reds have seen befall them this season. Votto's most likely replacement at first base, Mike Moustakas, is currently on the IL with a calf injury.

Also on the Injured List for the Reds are Tejay Antone, Justin Wilson, Hunter Greene, Jeff Hoffman, Lucas Sims, Tyler Stephenson, and so many others. The injuries have been partly to blame for Cincinnati's sub-.500 record this season.

But, if Votto is going to undergo season-ending surgery, now is the time to do so. The Reds are nowhere near competing for the National League Central Division crown in 2022, and even if the rehab drags on into next season, odds are that the Reds will not be overly competitive in 2023 either.

Joey Votto has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract after this season and the team maintains a $20M option for the 2024 season. For now, it's best wishes to Votto and hopefully the future Hall of Famer can be ready for Opening Day next season.