Veteran 1B Joey Votto joins hometown Blue Jays

Toronto native Joey Votto agreed to a non-roster invite with the Blue Jays on Friday, according to multiple reports.

The 40-year-old first baseman spent the past 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, who declined his 2024 option in November.

The Blue Jays had not announced the minor-league deal with Votto as of 1:30 p.m. ET, but Votto confirmed the news with a post on X.

"I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues," he wrote. "It's even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays."

The six-time All-Star and 2010 National League MVP was slowed by a shoulder injury last season and finished with a career-worst .202 batting average, 14 home runs and 38 RBIs in 65 games.

Votto batted .294 with 2,135 hits, 356 homers and 1,144 RBIs in 2,056 games since his 2007 debut with Cincinnati, which drafted him in the second round in 2002.

Among active players, he is the MLB leader in hits, plate appearances (8,746), total bases (3,706) and walks (1,365).

He entered free agency for the first time in November when the Reds declined his $20 million club option, paying a $7 million buyout instead.

—Field Level Media