Joey Votto finally makes Triple-A debut with Blue Jays; promptly hits a home run

Joey Votto made a great first impression with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this weekend.

Votto finally made his debut as a pinch hitter with the Blue Jays affiliate Friday night, singling and scoring the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of Buffalo's 5-3 win. He was used as a pinch hitter again Saturday, drawing a walk as the Bisons lost 10-7 to the Worcester Red Sox.

The 17-year MLB veteran cracked the Bisons starting lineup as designated hitter Sunday in Worcester. Votto drew another walk, then scored on a bases-loaded double by Will Robertson in the first inning. Then, after a second-inning strikeout and a fourth-inning groundout to second base, Votto crushed a curveball from Yohan Ramirez 355 feet to right field for a two-run home run.

Votto struck out again in the seventh inning, which turned out to be his final plate appearance of the day. The game was called in the eighth inning because of rain, giving Buffalo a 10-1 win.

Votto signed a minor league deal in March with a spring training invite with the Blue Jays. He only appeared in one game during spring training, homering on the only pitch in his only plate appearance. As the second batter of a March 17 game, Votto homered to left center off of Philadelphia Phillies starter Zach Wheeler. The Blue Jays ended up tying the Phillies 5-5 that day in Clearwater, Fla.

Votto rolled his ankle shortly after the home run. While recovering from the ankle injury, he has also dealt with back issues as he attempts to make his way back to the major leagues.

This weekend's debut comes two weeks after he was first called up to Triple A. Votto had arrived last month in Buffalo, but tweaked his ankle again before appearing in any games. He has played in a grand total of 19 games with Buffalo, Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays and the rookie-level Florida Complex League Blue Jays.

Votto, 40, who grew up in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, Ont., spent 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. A six-time All-Star, Votto is a Gold Glove Award and Hank Aaron Award winner, as well as the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player.

Seeing Votto in a Blue Jays jersey would be a nice story in a season that's been low on nice stories. But he's going to need some more reps in Buffalo, especially since the first baseman has only had 55 plate appearances and has played just 85.1 innings in the field this season.

After a day off Monday, the Bisons head home this week to face the Rochester Red Sox for a six-game series.