GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A promising younger profession was placed on pause and the Reds’ crowded infield image turned directly extra clear and extra difficult Friday with the information that Noelvi Marte has been suspended 80 video games with out pay by Main League Baseball for violating the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Remedy program.
Marte, rated by MLB Pipeline because the No. 1 prospect within the Reds’ system and No. 21 in all of MLB, examined optimistic for Boldenone, a banned anabolic-androgenic steroid. His suspension is efficient at first of the 2024 common season. Marte, who was not made obtainable to reporters, can return to the Reds’ advanced for prolonged Spring Coaching and may have a Minor League rehab task obtainable to him.
On account of the suspension, Marte is not going to be eligible for the 2024 postseason roster, ought to the Reds advance.
“He is gonna be significantly missed,” supervisor David Bell mentioned. “I consider in Noelvi Marte. He will get by way of this. When he does, it is going to be behind him. When he does come again, he will be welcomed again with open arms, and it is going to be over.”
Bell mentioned Marte, a 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, spoke to the crew Friday to tell his teammates about his suspension.
Final season, Marte hit his approach onto the Reds’ roster, slashing .316/.366/.456 in 123 plate appearances within the Majors. That put him in place to doubtlessly obtain the majority of begins at third base this season.
Now, the Reds’ offseason signing of veteran Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal, appears to be like all of the extra essential in 2024. The 30-year-old Candelario, who slashed .251/.336/.471 in 140 video games with the Nationals and Cubs final season, figures to see extra time on the sizzling nook than the Reds’ initially forecast.
This additionally opens up the potential of Spencer Steer, who was being steered extra towards outfield responsibility in mild of the Candelario acquisition, seeing extra time at third, the place he made 42 begins final season within the midst of a robust marketing campaign that earned him sixth place within the NL Rookie of the Yr voting. And 2021 Rookie of the Yr Jonathan India, who was set to make his Cactus debut Friday after coping with plantar fasciitis early in camp, is an alternative choice at third as he takes on a utility function this season.
In different phrases, the Reds have choices. However the blossoming Marte was one in every of their greatest ones, and shedding him had Bell clearly crestfallen.
Bell, who referred to as the suspension of Marte “very emotional,” declined to take a position on what the information means for third base.
“It does not really feel like the suitable time,” Bell mentioned. “To begin trying on the particulars of what it means for our roster and stuff, I simply have not thought of it, to have the ability to remark.”
After a sluggish begin to camp whereas nursing a hamstring problem suffered within the Dominican Winter League, Marte had gone 3-for-10 with a double, a steal and two runs in 4 Cactus video games. He’s the primary Reds participant to be suspended for PED use since right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez additionally acquired an 80-game suspension in 2020.
The primary sport Marte shall be eligible to return from his suspension is June 21 in opposition to the Pirates.
“The Reds totally help Main League Baseball’s drug coverage and its penalties,” the crew mentioned in an announcement. “We may have no additional remark.”
