There's a good chance Canadian Joey Votto will make his Grapefruit League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday in Clearwater, Fla., against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"You probably see Joey on Sunday. Most likely at Clearwater in that split-squad (game)," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday.

The Blue Jays signed the 40-year-old Canadian to a minor-league contract last week.

Votto played in two minor-league games with the Blue Jays on Wednesday and Thursday as he attempts to prepare for the upcoming season.

The left-handed hitter has not played full seasons in either of the past two years because of rotator cuff and biceps injuries. In 65 games in 2023, Votto hit .202 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs.

Votto is hoping he can return to his 2021 form when he hit 36 homers and drove in 99 runs.

Another Blue Jays off-season addition is also scheduled to make his Grapefruit League this weekend, as Schneider told reporters that pitcher Yariel Rodriguez will start Sunday in Dunedin against the Minnesota Twins.

The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $32-million contract in February. As a reliever in 2022, Rodriguez was 6-2 with a 1.15 earned-run average with the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Blue Jays' Votto likely to make Grapefruit League debut Sunday

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