The Cincinnati Reds got some good news today in that first baseman Joey Votto had tested negative for COVID-19 after self reporting symptoms on Sunday morning. He has since tested negative for the virus, traveled back to Cincinnati and has been activated and is in the lineup this afternoon according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale. Votto, just yesterday, was placed on the injured list – but since it was due to symptoms that could have been COVID-19, he didn’t need to remain on the list for any specified period of time – only until he had been cleared to play. Now that he’s been activated it required a move on the roster to create a spot and that means that outfielder Aristides Aquino was optioned to the alternate roster at Prasco Park.
While Aristides Aquino didn’t make the team out of Summer Camp, he’s been with the club for much of the young season. Playing time in the outfield has been tough to come by as the team is loaded with options, but Aquino has made two starts in left and one as the teams designated hitter. With that said, he’s only completed one game as he’s been pinch hit for when a right-handed pitcher entered the game in two of those three starts. In his five games played he’s only had nine total plate appearances, going 2-8 (.250) with a double, walk, run scored, a stolen base, and he’s driven in two runs – including one in game two of the doubleheader sweep on Sunday in Detroit.
Here’s what the current Prasco Park roster looks like for the Cincinnati Reds:
| Player | Position | Player | Position |
| R.J. Alaniz | RHP | Mark Kolozsvary | C |
| Jesse Biddle | LHP | Francisco Peña | C |
| Matt Bowman | RHP | Tyler Stephenson | C |
| David Carpenter | RHP | Alex Blandino | INF |
| José De León | RHP | Jose Garcia | INF |
| Hunter Greene | RHP | Robel García | INF |
| Ryan Hendrix | RHP | Jonathan India | INF |
| Joel Kuhnel | RHP | Alfredo Rodriguez | INF |
| Nick Lodolo | LHP | Aristides Aquino | OF |
| Alex Powers | RHP | Stuart Fairchild | OF |
| Sal Romano | RHP | Boog Powell | OF |
| Tony Santillan | RHP | ||
| Tyler Thornburg | RHP |
That’s a shame. He needs to be up helping.
That’s crazy aquino should be playing with the team.
So how does Votto get back so quick when Moose and Senzel seemed to have to jump through so many hoops. Could have used Moose against Cubs.
Think they should make Cards forfeit games vs Tigers since people with team broke safety protocol and went for an evening in a Casino. Send a message.
Sounds about right.
It’s certainly a question I can’t seem to find an answer for in terms of how Votto was able to get back so quickly.
As far as the Cardinals go….. there are a million reasons to lie about it, but they have said that through contact tracing they are very confident that it started back in St. Louis, which makes the casino story not hold up too well (as far as they caught it there).
Why not send Winker down, he needs some help and keep Aquino!
Personally, I think i’d rather have Aquino’s bat in the lineup over Davidson, Jankowski or Van Meter.
Given the following career slash lines
0.257 / 0.315 / 0.565
0.225 / 0.320 / 0.388
0.240 / 0.317 / 0.317
0.225 / 0.294 / 0.433
I’d rather have the one on top (Aquino’s).