Joey Votto Tests Positive for COVID-19, Put on Injured List by Reds

Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto has been placed on the injured list following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. 

The team announced the move Wednesday. C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic noted the six-time All-Star gave the Reds permission to announce his diagnosis. 

Per Major League Baseball's health and safety protocols, anyone who tests positive must isolate for a minimum of 10 days and must be "cleared by the Joint Committee and the individual's team physician, following a mandatory cardiac evaluation and a determination that the individual no longer presents a risk of infection to others" before being allowed to return. 

Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported last season that Votto was placed on the injured list before a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 2 after self-reporting COVID symptoms. He was activated off the injured list the following day after testing negative for the virus, per MLB.com's Jon Morosi.

In the most recent testing results released by MLB and the MLB Players Association on March 5, a total of 15 positive tests have come out of 5,317 tests conducted since intake testing began at the start of spring training. 

Votto is entering his 15th season with the Reds. The 37-year-old hit .226/.354/.446 with 11 homers and 22 RBI in 54 games during the 2020 season.

Cincinnati will open the regular season on April 1 at Great American Ball Park against the St. Louis Cardinals.