Joey Votto, the renowned baseball player, has made a significant impact in his debut for the Toronto Blue Jays. After participating in minor-league games at the Blue Jays camp on Wednesday and Thursday, Votto was slated for his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday. In his first at-bat during a minor-league game, he lined out to first base against Tigers prospects. However, Votto's debut in a Blue Jays uniform during the Grapefruit League game was marked by a notable home run on the first pitch he saw from Zack Wheeler. The home run, which traveled 392 feet with an exit velocity of 103.5 mph to left-centre field, was initially debated by the umpires and the Phillies due to a potential bounce off the yellow padding on top of the wall, but it was ultimately allowed to stand. This remarkable entrance adds to Votto's history of impactful first appearances, including home runs in his first game of the season last June 19, and his first game off the Injured List last September 10. Despite this high note, Votto mentioned an unexpected incident where he accidentally stepped on a bat in the dugout, rolled his ankle, and experienced significant pain. He anticipated that the following day's off would be sufficient for recovery, aiming to return to the field promptly.
Joey Votto had originally planned to play five innings today, not one. “I accidentally stepped on a bat in the dugout, rolled my ankle and it hurt like the dickens.” He expects that tomorrow’s off day will be enough, then he’ll be back at it. #BlueJays
Joey Votto homers off first pitch he sees as a Toronto Blue Jay https://t.co/ssblLnfEir
Joey Votto the last two years: Today: HR on the first pitch he sees as a Blue Jay Last June 19: HR in his first game of the season Last Sept. 10: HR in his first game off the Injured List Some guys just know how to make an entrance https://t.co/NMZfUGVwp8
Joey Votto with a homer in his first spring training AB with the Blue Jays 💪 (via @BlueJays) https://t.co/caFBP7sB4I
Joey Votto's first home run in a Blue Jays uniform! 💣 🎥: @BlueJays https://t.co/ocFxcmDGGu
Joey Votto's first home run in a Blue Jays uniform! 💣 https://t.co/sBlWUdrM1n
Joey Votto homered on the first pitch he saw as a Toronto Blue Jay https://t.co/filBVZbgbG
Joey Votto goes yard on the first pitch he sees as a Toronto Blue Jay. 🔥 (🎥:@BlueJays) https://t.co/14wZWbPevU
Joey Votto just hit a home run on his first pitch as a Blue Jay 🤯 https://t.co/S4u9nv6PDF
Joey Votto bomb on the 1st pitch he ever sees as a Blue Jay!! https://t.co/I1ZDuNeorT
Joey Votto goes yard on the first pitch he sees in Spring Training! https://t.co/el19WpSBOJ
Joey Votto's definitely on a mission. Just homered to left-centre field off the first pitch he saw from Zack Wheeler. 103.5 mph exit velo. Travelled 392 feet. #BlueJays
One pitch, one home run for Joey Votto. #BlueJays https://t.co/qqGoNqfDzW
Joey Votto homers on the very first pitch he sees as a Blue Jay! (The Phillies argued it didn’t go out, but there’s no instant replay in spring training) https://t.co/fkQxSTnjER
Joey Votto goes yard on the FIRST PITCH he sees in a Blue Jays uniform! The Phillies argued it didn't go out but there's no instant replay https://t.co/KKpgsjkEF3
First pitch swinging 😮 It's @JoeyVotto's FIRST homer in a #BlueJays uniform! https://t.co/1cVrONpJ0N
Joey Votto just homered on the first pitch he saw here in Clearwater, 392 feet to left-centre. The umpires talked, because it looked like it might have bounced off the yellow padding on top of the wall, but they've let it stand. #BlueJays
Joey Votto making Blue Jays debut on Sunday https://t.co/tiIwizAfSR
Another Blue Jays update: Joey Votto will play his first game as a Blue Jay on Sunday in Clearwater against the Phillies.
Watched Joey Votto play in a minor-league game today, plus more #BlueJays notes up @sportsnet https://t.co/0CKjbjM6mA
Joey Votto hits a deep line drive to right field in a minor-league game vs. Tigers #BlueJays https://t.co/oyBt9EX1L1
Joey Votto first AB in a #BlueJays minor league game. Lines out to 1B. First plate appearance in Jays uniform this spring. https://t.co/U0L2eFA5x8
In his first minor-league at-bat of the day, Joey Votto lines out to first base for Blue Jays vs. Tigers prospects https://t.co/JeXiu9xl89
Joey Votto will play in minor-league games at Blue Jays camp on Wednesday and Thursday. Club is targeting Sunday for his Grapefruit League debut; haven’t decided yet which side of that day’s split squad he’ll be on.
Joey Votto slated to play in a minor-league game today. Maybe tomorrow too. Looks like his Grapefruit League will be Sunday, further details to come #BlueJays