Canadian star Joey Votto to have season-ending rotator cuff surgery

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto will have season-ending surgery Friday to repair a torn left rotator cuff. 

The 38-year-old from Toronto announced the upcoming surgery after the Reds' 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Votto said he injured the rotator cuff in 2015 and had been able to play through it, but it had become more painful over the past few months.

Votto, a six-time All-Star and 2010 NL MVP, hit just .205 this season with 11 homers and 41 RBIs.

"I'm not sure if it's effected my performance," Votto said. "I can't say that. I don't want to make an excuse."

Votto said he was motivated to get an MRI on the rotator cuff because of the pain, which he said interrupted his sleep.

No Canadian has played in more Major League Baseball games than Votto, who appeared in his 1,989th game Sunday, an 8-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. That broke the previous mark, which had been held by Hall of Famer Larry Walker of Maple Ridge, B.C.

“It's a big blow obviously. We're going to miss him a ton,” manager David Bell said. “I have no idea how he was playing with it. I was lucky enough to talk to the doctors. They were very clear this has to be done now.”

Jose Barrero hit a game-ending RBI single off Seranthony Domínguez with two out in the ninth inning to provide the game's only run.

Albert Almora Jr. helped set up Barrero's winning hit with a one-out walk. Almora advanced to second when Alejo Lopez singled for his third hit, and then hustled home when Barrero hit a grounder back up the middle.

“I was fortunate enough to make contact,” said Barrero, who had never faced Dominguez before. “All I wanted to do was help the team by making contact.”

The 24-year-old Barrero has struck out 26 times in 48 big league at-bats this year.

It was the first run allowed by Dominguez (6-4) since July 10, snapping a string of 11 consecutive scoreless appearances.

Rookie left-hander Nick Lodolo struck out eight in a career-high seven innings for Cincinnati, allowing five hits. Alexis Díaz (4-1) got six outs for the win.

“I was aggressive in the zone,” Lodolo said. “I felt I got better as the game went on. I was working through traffic the first three innings but it got better."

Lodolo got some help from right-fielder Aristides Aquino, who made a terrific defensive play in the fifth. Aquino tracked down Alec Bohm’s drive and then made a strong throw from the warning track to double up Rhys Hoskins at first.

“At that moment I was thinking just catch the ball,” Aquino said. “When I caught the ball I saw the runner was off the base. I just threw it. When I'm playing defence, I always think I have a chance to catch the ball.”

It was Aquino's ninth assist — the most by a Reds outfielder since Billy Hamilton had 12 in 2018.

Philadelphia won the first two games of the three-game series against lowly Cincinnati. But the Phillies wasted a stellar performance by Ranger Suárez in the finale.

The 26-year-old Suárez allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked two. The left-hander made his big league debut at Cincinnati on July 26, 2018.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Phillies: OF Brandon Marsh left Tuesday's 11-4 win when he crashed into the wall while trying to catch Jonathan India’s home run. He had an MRI but there was no update on his condition.

Reds: RHP Art Warren (right upper arm) was activated from the 15-day injured list. RHP Buck Farmer was placed on the bereavement list. … OF Nick Senzel (right hamstring) and INF Mike Moustakas (left calf strain) planned to work out before the game. Senzel was available to pinch-hit, but did not play. Moustakas is eligible to come off the IL on Friday.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Open a four-game series at home against the Mets on Friday. RHP Chris Bassitt (10-7, 3.27 ERA) is scheduled to face Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (8-9, 3.07 ERA).

Reds: Open a three-game series in Pittsburgh on Friday. RHP Graham Ashcraft (5-3, 3.96 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Reds.

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Gary Schatz, The Associated Press