Cincinnati Reds’ Star First Baseman Joey Votto Suffers Broken Left Thumb

Introduction

On Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 the former National League MVP and MLB All – Star first basemen of the Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto, suffered a broken left thumb after being hit by a pitch thrown by Dallas Keuchel of the Chicago White Sox. Although Joey is not expected to have to face surgery in order to repair his thumb, this injury endured by Votto will most likely result in Joey missing the next month of baseball for the Cincinnati Reds who currently sit in third spot of the highly competitive National League Central division of Major League Baseball.

Potential Replacements for First Base

Even though it is impossible to replace Votto at first base a possible option includes Kyle Farmer. Farmer is traditionally a short stop that can fill in at first base, but the only drawback is that you lose a whole lot of firepower with Kyle batting for Votto in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting line – up. The Cincinnati Reds could explore other possibilities for replacing the injured Votto such as bringing up player from their alternate site or minor league farm system affiliates, or the Cincinnati Reds could potentially go out and sign a free agent utility player that can help the fit in where he would be needed in the future.

Joey Votto’s 2021 MLB Season Statistics

So far early on during the 2021 Major League Baseball season Joey Votto is holding a batting average of .229, he has 17 runs batted in, and 5 home runs already this year. Joey has scored 9 runs, has 0 stolen bases, and has posted an on base percentage of .302. Votto’s slugging percentage is .429, and his on base percentage plus slugging number of .730 is not bad. Joey’s OPS + is currently at 88. While these numbers are all much lower than Votto’s career averages it is very early, and we all have to remember they play 162 regular season games in Major League Baseball. Look for Joey as well as the Cincinnati Reds to bounce back as soon as he returns to the Reds’ big league ball club.

Media Statement from Joey Votto Regarding the Injury

"I knew I was in pain," Votto expressed following the ball game against the Chicago White Sox. "I thought I was being a baby. I just wanted to stay in the game, but I didn't think I could grip the bat and I was having a hard time putting my glove on. I could run and I was moving well, and I thought, 'Just give it some time, it should shake at some point. Maybe it's just one of those [where] your thumb gets jammed in a door or something like that and it just goes away.' It broke, what are you going to do?"

Joey Votto’s Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards

• 6 Time MLB All – Star (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018)
• National League MVP (2010)
• National League Hank Aaron Award (2010)
• Gold Glove Award (2011)

Current MLB Standings as of Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

American League East

Boston Red Sox 18 – 12 0 Games Behind

New York Yankees 15 – 14 2.5 Games Behind

Tampa Bay Rays 16 – 15 2.5 Games Behind

Toronto Blue Jays 14 – 14 3 Games Behind

Baltimore Orioles 15 – 16 3.5 Games Behind

American League Central

Kansas City Royals 16 – 12 0 Games Behind

Chicago White Sox 16 – 13 0.5 Games Behind

Cleveland Indians 15 – 13 1 Game Behind

Minnesota Twins 11 – 17 5 Games Behind

Detroit Tigers 8 – 22 9 Games Behind

American League West

Oakland Athletics 19 – 12 0 Games Behind

Seattle Mariners 17 – 15 2.5 Game Behind

Houston Astros 15 – 14 3 Games Behind

Los Angeles Angels 13 – 15 4.5 Games Behind

Texas Rangers 14 – 17 5 Games Behind

National League East

Philadelphia Phillies 16 – 15 0 Game Behind

Atlanta Braves 14 – 16 1.5 Game Behind

Washington Nationals 12 – 14 1.5 Games Behind

New York Mets 11 – 13 1.5 Games Behind

Miami Marlins 13 – 16 2 Games Behind

National League Central

St. Louis Cardinals 18 – 12 0 Games Behind

Milwaukee Brewers 17 – 14 1.5 Games Behind

Cincinnati Reds 14 – 15 3.5 Games Behind

Chicago Cubs 14 – 16 4 Game Behind

Pittsburgh Pirates 13 – 16 4.5 Games Behind

National League West

San Francisco Giants 18 – 13 0 Game Behind

San Diego Padres 17 – 14 1 Games Behind

Los Angeles Dodgers 17 – 14 1 Games Behind

Arizona Diamondbacks 15 – 15 2.5 Games Behind

Colorado Rockies 12 – 19 6 Games Behind

Odds to Win the MLB 2021 World Series

According to Intertops sportsbook below are the odds to win the MLB 2021 World Series as of Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. Currently the Cincinnati Reds have the 16th highest odds to win it all for this exciting 162 game regular season of Major League Baseball in addition to the 2021 MLB playoffs. The Chicago White Sox odds are much better as they have the 5th highest odds to win this year’s MLB World Series in the eyes of the Intertops book makers.

Team	Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers	350
New York Yankees	600
San Diego Padres	750
New York Mets	900
Chicago White Sox	1000
Oakland Athletics	1200
Atlanta Braves	1400
Houston Astros	1600
Toronto Blue Jays	1800
St Louis Cardinals	1800
Milwaukee Brewers	1800
Tampa Bay Rays	2000
Boston Red Sox	2000
Minnesota Twins	2500
Los Angeles Angels	3000
Cincinnati Reds	3300
Cleveland Indians	3300
Washington Nationals	3300
Philadelphia Phillies	3500
Chicago Cubs	5000
Kansas City Royals	5000
San Francisco Giants	5000
Miami Marlins	6000
Seattle Mariners	6600
Arizona Diamondbacks	12500
Baltimore Orioles	15000
Texas Rangers	20000
Detroit Tigers	30000
Colorado Rockies	30000
Pittsburgh Pirates	30000

 

Sources:

“Joey Votto of Cincinnati Reds suffers broken left thumb after being hit by pitch”, espn.com, May 5, 2021.

“Joey Votto”, baseball-reference.com, May 5, 2021.

“MLB Standings 2021”, espn.com, May 5, 2021.

“United States, MLB Futures, MLB 2021 World Series: To Win Outright”, intertops.eu, May 5, 2021.

Written by: David Green