Votto targets return to Reds lineup against Jays on Friday

Toronto native Joey Votto knows exactly what sights he wants to see when he returns to his hometown.

"I'd like to see the centre of the baseball. And parts of the city? Somewhere around windows? Maybe the second deck? We'll see, maybe somewhere around there," said Votto, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

"That's what I'm targeting. That's what I'm most looking forward to."

Votto has been out of the Cincinnati Reds' lineup for more than two weeks with COVID-19. He expects he'll be back with the Reds on Friday, in time for Cincinnati's three-game interleague series in Toronto.

The six-time All-Star was not playing up to his usual standards when he started showing symptoms of the virus on May 3, ahead of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He's hitting just .122 with no home runs and three runs batted in over 22 games this season.

Votto said Wednesday that coming back from the injured list in his hometown after completing a rehab assignment with the Class A Dayton Dragons was just good timing.

"I've performed so poorly to start the season it's not something I'm comfortable with or used to," said Votto via Zoom from Dayton, Ohio. "Coming back from being on the couch or in bed for eight or nine days, I need to make sure that I'm in a good way physically or I risk injury or I risk poor performance.

"So I have to come back and perform well, and whether Toronto was backed up against that date eight or nine days or now or even further down the line, it wouldn't have made a difference."

Votto played in four games for the Dragons as he worked himself back into game shape. He saw no reason why he wouldn't be ready to play for the Reds (10-26) in Toronto.

"I mean, anything can happen, but nothing comes to mind that will keep me from