Noelvi Marte returns to MLB after suspension

ST. LOUIS — At arguably the most crucial time of the season for the Reds, they received reinforcements for their lineup and infield. On Thursday, third baseman Noelvi Marte was reinstated to the club after serving an 80-game suspension for doping.

“It’s so great. I’ve been waiting for this all this time,” said Elly De La Cruz, a good friend and Reds shortstop, before warming up on the field with Marte. “He’s going to be a big help. He can hit. He can defend. He can do everything.”

Marte immediately showed what he could do, with three hits and three runs scored as part of a dynamic offensive performance by the entire Reds team in an 11-4 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The Reds were up 3-0 in the third inning when Marte hit an RBI double into the left-center field gap against struggling St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas. He scored on Will Benson’s sacrifice fly. Spencer Steer hit a two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, Marte started a three-run rally with a leadoff single to right-center field and scored on Benson’s RBI double to left field. Marte’s third hit was a leadoff single to right-center field in the seventh inning.

Cincinnati entered Thursday’s four-game series against a fierce National League Central rival, the Cardinals, having lost 10 of their last 15 games while their offense faltered. After the series concludes, they will travel to New York for a three-game series against the American League East-leading Yankees.

No pressure or anything for a 22-year-old with only 35 games of big league experience.

“For me, it’s about putting out as much positive energy as possible. I know that’s the best way I can contribute to this team,” Marte said through translator Jorge Merlos.

“We’re all excited to have him back on our team,” Reds manager David Bell said. “It’s time for Noelvi to play baseball. He’s served his suspension, and we’re going to move on and play baseball.”

Marte will be a defensive backup at third base for veteran Jeimer Candelario, who has also been hampered by tendinitis in his right knee. Candelario, who was not in the lineup for the second consecutive game Thursday, will likely get more time at first base and as a designated hitter.

The mere fact that Marte is so confident on the field will give him an advantage when he wants to go on the offensive.

“Noelvi’s talent, that player talent, we’ve already seen. That’s why it’s so important that Noelvi be himself, go out there, play hard and work every day to get better,” Bell said. “Everything else will fall into place. The production and the performance will be there.”

The Reds and Marte did their best to look forward instead of back after he tested positive for boldenone, a banned anabolic and androgenic steroid, on March 8, which earned him an MLB suspension. The punishment also included a postseason ban.

Marte did not explain why his test was positive.

“If I had the answers, I would give them. I really don’t know,” he said. “I think I’ve learned a lot in the last few months, but I’ve been able to prepare well to get to this moment and be ready for this moment.”

What has Marte learned and what could change as a result?

“It’s really just the people that were around me,” Marte said. “It’s just the little things. Maybe I was blind back then. It kind of opened my eyes to see the people around me.”

It’s not just Marte’s performance that the Reds have lacked. At the halfway point of the 2024 season, Matt McLain (left shoulder surgery) has played zero games. TJ Friedl (right thigh), currently on the injured list for the third time with a third injury, has played just 26 games. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (broken right hand) is out for the rest of the regular season after playing 29 games.

Unlike the others, Marte’s problem had nothing to do with his injury. Did he feel responsible for not being able to help the club during his absence?

“No. I don’t feel like I’m responsible for that,” he replied. “We have a great team here. Things don’t (always) go our way. I think I came in at the right time to give 100 percent and our team will give 100 percent when we go out there and compete.”