Noelvi Marte can’t play for the Cincinnati Reds until June 27, but he can start his 2024 season Tuesday in Louisville with the Reds’ Triple-A team.
Marte, 22, was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Marte’s 15-game rehab assignment can begin Tuesday before his availability for the Reds’ 81st game of the season, later this month in St. Louis.
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“It feels like I’m starting brand new,” Marte said according to Reds interpreter Jorge Merlos on Monday on a video conference call arranged by the team. “I really can’t wait to have that happen again and get back to what I know I like to do.”
Marte was the highest-rated prospect among the four who came to the Reds in exchange for ace Luis Castillo at the 2022 trade deadline. The infielder made his big-league debut last August and ended the season on a 16-game hitting streak. The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked Marte as the No. 17 prospect in baseball in February.
Noelvi Marte finishes his 2023 season with a 16-game hit streak and a 22-game on-base streak 👏 pic.twitter.com/GqCjCJkK4m
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 1, 2023
Entering spring training, Marte was expected to start in the big leagues at third base most days and was among the favorites for the National League Rookie of the Year. Those expectations changed March 8 when it was announced that Marte had tested positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.
Marte said Monday that he had appealed the decision and 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. “I really don’t know how it came about, unfortunately.”
In March after the suspension was announced, Marte addressed his teammates and members of the organization.
“I’m pretty frank with everybody and I don’t want anybody questioning anything, and that’s what I wanted to tell (the team),” Marte said, according to Merlos. “I had a lot of good energy from them, a lot of hugs, a lot of guys who are really on my side and really supporting me.”
In 35 games and 123 plate appearances last season, Marte hit .316/.366/.456 with three home runs and six stolen bases.
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Marte’s suspension came during a rash of bad news during the spring along with injuries to second baseman Matt McLain and shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo. The Reds quickly went from being seen as having “too many shortstops” to having to make a trade to acquire Santiago Espinal to serve as a backup shortstop.
Marte and McLain were expected to serve as the backups to Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, with Arroyo providing depth in the minor leagues.
In addition to the loss of Marte defensively, he was expected to be a key component in the team’s offense, a group that struggled early in the season.
“It was tough to watch the games knowing I wouldn’t be able to go out there and help the team,” Marte said according to Merlos. “I felt anxious and ready to get back and distraught that I wouldn’t be able to be out there.”
Marte spent time at home in the Dominican Republic during his suspension. He said he feels good physically and used the suspension as motivation to return better than he was before.
“I feel like I’ve worked so much harder than I ever have coming into any season,” Marte said according to Merlos. “I’m really happy with the work I’ve been able to do to prepare myself to come back. I’m really anxious and can’t wait to go back on the field and show what I can do.”
Marte said he was thankful for the way the team helped him get through the suspension and the support he received.
Marte said he has to be extra careful in the Dominican Republic about what he eats or any other supplements he takes.
“I live in a country that doesn’t have the same health system that you have here in the States,” Marte said according to Merlos. “I just have to make sure to look over everything that’s going on and to make sure my process is good enough that these results won’t come back again.”
(Photo of Noelvi Marte from spring training: Aaron Doster / Getty Images)