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Reds’ Noelvi Marte returns from suspension at Triple-A Louisville

Theo

Noelvi Marte cannot play for the Cincinnati Reds until June 27, but he can begin his 2024 season with the Reds’ Triple-A team on Tuesday in Louisville.

Marte, 22, was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance through Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Marte’s 15-game rehab can begin Tuesday before he is available for the Reds’ 81st game of the season later this month in St. Louis.

“It feels like I’m starting over,” Marte said in a video conference arranged by the team on Monday, according to Reds interpreter Jorge Merlos. “I really can’t wait for this to happen again and for me to be able to get back to what I love to do.”

Marte was the highest-rated prospect among the four players who joined the Reds at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for ace Luis Castillo. The infielder made his major league debut last August and finished the season with a 16-game hitting streak. The athleteKeith Law ranked Marte as the 17th most promising player in baseball in February.

Entering spring training, Marte was expected to play third base most days at the major league level and was among the favorites for the National League Rookie of the Year award. Those expectations changed on March 8, when it was announced that Marte tested positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.

Marte said Monday he had appealed the decision, but it was denied. He also said he did not knowingly take a banned substance.

“In reality, it just appeared in my system,” Marte said, according to Merlos. “Unfortunately, I really don’t know how it happened.”

After the suspension was announced in March, Marte addressed his teammates and members of the organization.

“I’m pretty open with everyone and I don’t want anyone to question anything. That’s what I wanted to say (to the team),” Marte said, according to Merlos. “I’ve gotten a lot of positive energy from them, a lot of hugs, a lot of guys who are really on my side and really support me.”

In 35 games and 123 batting appearances last season, Marte hit .316/.366/.456 with three home runs and six stolen bases.

Marte’s suspension came in the spring after a series of bad news stories, including injuries to second baseman Matt McLain and shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo. The Reds were soon deemed to have “too many shortstops” and were forced to make a trade to acquire Santiago Espinal as a backup shortstop.

Marte and McLain were intended to replace Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, while Arroyo was intended to provide depth in the minor leagues.

Aside from the loss of Marte on defense, he was expected to play a key role in the team’s offense, a group that struggled early in the season.

“It was hard to watch the games because I knew I couldn’t go out and help the team,” Marte said, according to Merlos. “I was nervous and desperate to get back and was desperate because I couldn’t be there.”

Marte spent the time of his suspension at home in the Dominican Republic. He said he felt good physically and used the suspension as motivation to come back better than before.

“I feel like I’ve worked so much harder than I ever have in a season,” Marte said, according to Merlos. “I’m really happy with the work I’ve been able to do to prepare for my comeback. I’m really excited and can’t wait to get back on the field and show what I can do.”

Marte said he was grateful for how the team helped him get through the lockdown and for the support he received.

Marte said he had to pay special attention to his diet and other supplements while in the Dominican Republic.

“I live in a country that doesn’t have the same health care system as we have here in the U.S.,” Marte said, according to Merlos. “I just have to make sure I keep an eye on everything that’s happening and that my procedure is good enough so that these results don’t happen again.”

(Photo of Noelvi Marte from spring training: Aaron Doster / Getty Images)

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