Cincinnati Reds bring rookie Todd Frazier to replace Joey Votto – MLB News
The Cincinnati Reds' rookie Todd Frazier on Monday, July 16, stated that Joey Votto’s news of surgery in the aftermath of a torn meniscus is a huge blow for the team. Joey Votto was suffering from knee injury, having witnessed a slump in his performance.
However, the MRI scan that revealed the first baseman needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus prompted the team to go for rookie Todd Frazier, who on Monday played his first game of the season.
Frazier is cognizant of the challenge lying ahead for him given the powerful influence Votto exercised and the talent he brought for the team’s offence. The team lost their game by 3-5 on Monday to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Frazier remained 1-for-4 in the game, but certainly he has a long way to go to fill Votto’s shoes.
"It's a huge blow," Frazier acknowledged while saying the team had not actually known the extent of the problem faced by Votto.
Frazier said, "We knew his knee was hurting, but we didn't know the extent. We'll have to come together a little more and keep working. We've got a good core of guys that can step up, including myself. It's going to be a tough grind, but at the same time, our pitching staff has been doing it all year."
Frazier has in the past played in all positions. He can play in second base and shortstop even though he has usually played at third base. What may be of some pressure for him was the fact that he has to replace Joey Votto, with considerably better experience and effectiveness.
The team manager for now wants Frazier to play in both first and third. Baker sees it as a good possibility. "I don't know. It's a good possibility," Baker said while talking about Frazier. "He'll play some first and some third."
With .278 batting average, having had 10 homers and 30 RBIs, he is a good substitute for Votto. Nonetheless, Votto’s early return for the Reds is necessary given the extent of challenges ahead. If he succeeds to sustain the pressure and puts up good display of game, he will be a wonderful asset for the Reds in the future.
Tags: