CINCINNATI -- The Reds first baseman with the initials “JV” is off to a nice start to his season. Of course, it's not Joey Votto, who began 2023 on the injured list to complete his effort to return from left shoulder surgery.
It's Jason Vosler, who made the Opening Day roster after it was determined that Votto would not be ready. Vosler's go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning lifted Cincinnati to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over the Cubs at Great American Ball Park on Monday -- the club's third consecutive win.
“It’s definitely satisfying when you’re playing well. It’s even better when you’re winning," said Vosler, who is 4-for-11 (.364) with four extra-base hits -- a double, a triple and two homers -- and six RBIs.
The lefty-hitting Vosler wasn't in the starting lineup with the Cubs starting left-hander Drew Smyly. But he was pressed into service in the bottom of the second inning to pinch-run after Jose Barrero left with right hamstring tightness.
Being ready when his name is called has become Vosler's thing.
"It just says so much," Reds manager David Bell said. "He’s excited to show the kind of player he is. He stayed ready, came off the bench and ends up being a big part of, really, a great win. He’s just showing what he’s capable of. It’s that simple."
The Reds overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit after Connor Overton was tagged for five hits, including Cody Bellinger's three-run homer. They answered with three runs in the bottom of the first and one in the second inning, when Vosler scored on a fielder's choice.
Chicago took the lead back with three more runs in the fifth inning, and the Reds answered right back a second time. Tyler Stephenson opened the bottom half of the frame with a single, and Stuart Fairchild was hit by a pitch with one out.
With two outs, Vosler drove Smyly's 2-1 sinker to left-center field for his three-run homer. Reds hitters' average exit velocity against Smyly was only 80 mph, but Vosler's drive left his bat at 100.5 mph.
"It makes it easier just trying to do the little things right and not trying to do too much," Vosler said. "A lot of times when I try to do too much is when I struggle. That home run at-bat, I was trying to get a single, trying to hit them in, and good things happen when you don’t try to do too much.”
Votto, who is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, tweeted with his approval of his replacement.
Nice defense has also been a hallmark of Vosler's brief tenure, and there were two more fine plays on Monday. In the third, he made a nice pick on Eric Hosmer’s sharp grounder to end the inning. In the ninth, after reliever Derek Law -- filling in for closer Alexis Díaz -- gave up back-to-back two-out singles, pinch-hitter Miles Mastrobuoni scorched a line drive to the right side, where Vosler made a leaping grab to end the game.
"Thank God we have Vosler on our team right now. [Mastrobuoni] hit it to the hottest guy. It’s perfect," said Law, who recorded his first save since Sept. 18, 2019, for the Orioles.
The Reds are 3-1 through four games. It took them 16 games to reach three wins in 2022.
Vosler, who logged 77 Major League games in his career with the Giants from 2021-22, has played mostly third base professionally. But he spent a lot of time at first base during Spring Training.
"It’s not a new position for me by any means, but playing it every day is kind of a new thing. It’s just getting the work in before the game," Vosler said. "I had some days there with Joey where I was talking his ear off a little bit, asking him a lot of questions. He was great and helped me a lot.”
Votto could be back with the Reds as soon as Thursday. Vosler is doing all he can to remain with the team in the meantime.
"I think everyone in here is happy for him," said Wil Myers, who started the game at first base before moving to right field when Vosler entered. "He's obviously been a big part of our wins so far. It's been a lot of fun to see him, and hopefully he keeps it going like that."