Joey Votto's big-league return is going to take a while longer after the Cincinnati Reds first baseman paused his rehab assignment following offseason shoulder surgery.
"My swing is not there yet," Votto said, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
"There's some strength and range of motion stuff. It's totally normal. I feel so much better. Relative to the beginning of spring, a month ago, three months ago, I think I'm doing excellent. It was ambitious to attempt to make Opening Day. I didn't perform well in Louisville, and that was (because) I was missing middle pitches, and that was entirely because of my arm."
Votto, who had surgery to repair tears in his rotator cuff and biceps, was hitting .184/.289/.316 with one home run and five RBIs in 45 plate appearances for Triple-A Louisville before he decided to halt his comeback.
There's no timetable for the 39-year-old to restart his assignment, although he must wait at least five days before returning to play for Louisville.
"It's a little embarrassing interrupting a (rehab) stint and pausing it, but it's not a reflection on whether or not I'm getting better or whether or not I'll play well in a Reds uniform," Votto said. "Those are two separate things."
Votto added that he feels "very confident" he can return to the majors and be a productive player for the Reds once he's fully healthy.
The former National League MVP is in the last guaranteed year of a 10-year contract he signed in 2012, although the Reds could exercise a $20-million team option in 2024.
