VOTTO RETURNS

The Cincinnati Reds activated Canadian slugger Joey Votto off the injured list before Friday’s game against the Blue Jays. Votto, who had three homers in nine career games at Rogers Centre before the weekend, was hitting just .122 before being sidelined May 3. “It’s really great to have him back,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I’m excited to see where he is with his progression. I know he was in the midst of making some adjustments right when he got sick. I imagine the rehab assignment gave him a little time to work through that.” Votto went 1-for-4 Friday with a sixthinning double.