Noelvi Marte returns from 80-game PED suspension to disappointing Reds team still fighting for wild-card spot
The Cincinnati Reds are getting promising youngster Noelvi Marte back from suspension. He was banned for 80 games to start the season due to violating the league’s Joint Drug Agreement after testing positive for a banned, performance-enhancing substance called Boldenone. The Reds officially reinstated him Thursday.
Marte, 22, debuted last season and hit .316/.366/.456 (120 OPS+) with seven doubles, three homers, 15 RBI, 15 runs and 0.8 WAR in 35 games. He entered the season ranked as the No. 1 prospect for the Reds and 14th in all of baseball, per CBS Sports prospect guru R.J. Anderson.
In 12 rehab games with Triple-A Louisville, Marte hit just .151/.151/.170, striking out 15 times in 53 at-bats. Still, the Reds will hope a return to the majors jars something loose with the high-upside third baseman.
The Reds are a disappointing 37-43 right now, but that’s good enough to trail the final wild-card spot by 4.5 games and that’s workable. They have played Jeimer Candelario at third base the majority of the time so far this year, but he could also serve as DH. Reds designated hitters have only hit .210/.271/.335 this season, so that’s where the ballclub can be hopeful the return of Marté helps the offense.
