Joey Votto will play his first game as a Toronto Blue Jay on Wednesday when he suits up in a minor-league contest against the Detroit Tigers in Dunedin, Fla.
The Blue Jays signed the 40-year-old Canadian to a minor-league contract last week.
The club is targeting Sunday for his Grapefruit League debut after Votto plays another minor-league game on Thursday.
The designated hitter/first baseman, limited by injuries the past two years with the Cincinnati Reds, is trying to crack the major-league squad as a left-handed-hitting bat.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are planning for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to make his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday with the goal of going two innings. He threw two innings of live batting practice on Tuesday after being hampered by a back injury to start spring training.
The club also reports right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder fatigue) felt good in his side session on Tuesday. The team will determine next steps on Thursday.
The Blue Jays face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Grapefruit League action Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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