MLBits: Votto Will Play in 2023, Pujols and Judge Homer on Monday, Gonsolin Injury, Yankees Acquire Stake in AC Milan, More

Albert Pujols and Aaron Judge made progress in their respective home run chases on Monday night. Plus, Joey Votto says that he will play in 2023 despite a tough season at the plate and a recent shoulder surgery.

Joey Votto Will Play in 2023

A recent shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff cast doubt on the future of Joey Votto, but the Reds slugger will be returning for another season in 2023.

“I’d like to have a strong finish to my career and be proud,” Votto said, per Goldsmith.

Votto underwent successful surgery earlier this month to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The Reds expect Votto to be ready to go by the start of Spring Training in March of 2023, and Reds skipper David Bell says that the team is focused on getting him back.

“My focus from today moving forward is just getting Joey back by spring training,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I know he’ll be in good hands, and he has to heal and all that, but I know he’s going to work really hard to get back next year. I know he’s already thinking that way and excited about it, and I am too. Now everything is behind him, and he can look forward to spring training 2023.”

Votto, 38, is in the mist the worst season of his 16-year career, slashing .205/.319/.370 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI. Votto’s -0.7 fWAR, 92 wRC+, and 23.8 percent K-rate are all career worsts for the legendary Reds first baseman.

Votto has two more seasons remaining on his 10-year deal signed in 2014, with Cincinnati on the hook for $25 million next season and $20 million in 2024, and he holds a full no-trade clause in his contract.

Home Run Races Update

Albert Pujols drilled home run No. 694 for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night and is now six home runs shy of 700 with about five weeks to play in the season. Pujols’ home run off of Ross Detweiler marked the 450th different pitcher he hit a home run against, passing Barry Bonds for the all-time mark in that category.

Aaron Judge also went yard last night against the Los Angeles Angels, marking home run No. 50 on the season for the Yankees slugger!

Judge’s home run in Anaheim put him in elite company in Yankees history, joining Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees players ever with multiple 50 HR seasons. The home run also put him just 11 behind Roger Maris for the Yankees’ all-time mark.

Judge is currently on pace to hit 63 home runs and one home run behind Maris’ 1961 pace through 129 team games.

Dodgers’ Gonsolin to the IL

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Tony Gonsolin on the IL with a right forearm strain, a big blow to the Dodgers pitching staff with just over a month left in the regular season. But, Dave Roberts is hopeful that the injury isn’t a serious one.

Gonsolin, 28, is in the midst of a major league-best 16-1 season and his 2.10 ERA leads the National League through his first 23 starts. Gonsolin was named an All-Star this season and figures to be a part of the October rotation for the Dodgers if healthy. If Roberts’ optimism proves to be true, that’s a guarantee at this point.

“It does kind of suck, the timing coming into September,” Gonsolin said. “But I do think it’s also a blessing a little bit. Give me a little break and then go into the playoffs.”

Yankees to Acquire Minority Stake in AC Milan

The Chicago Cubs owners failed in their efforts to purchase Chelsea FC (and at one time had interest in AC Milan), but the Yankees have succeeded. They’ll join a group of owners that also includes LeBron James and Drake.

Odds and Ends

  • Oneil Cruz has been an exit velocity MACHINE this season. After breaking Giancarlo Stanton’s Statcast EV record with a 122 mph base hit, he added another sizzler to the resume last night with a 117.5 MPH home run.
  • Marcus Stroman made a young Blue Jays fan’s day on Monday while the Cubs were in Toronto to take on the Jays. Stroman, of course, is a former Blue Jay, so plenty of kids up there still hold him dear to their hearts.
  • We’ve talked plenty about the Guardians this season, but Zack Meisel put together a good story on their success. A success that includes fourteen rookies that have made their MLB debuts this season. The Guardians are now six games ahead of the White Sox with the season-series tie breaker in tow, making it a strong probability that they will win the AL Central this season.
  • Oswaldo Cabrera has made an immediate impact for the Yankees since making his major league debut in August. Cabrera has played all over and been a steady presence with the leather as the Yankees chug towards the Postseason. Chris Kirschner put together a fun read on the rookie:
  • The Athletic put together a compilation of stories from players and trainers that have dealt with the after-effects of COVID-19 and what their performance looks like in the immediate aftermath. This is a read worth your time today:
  • written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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