Reds top prospect Noelvi Marte has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance enhancing substance, per Major League Baseball.
“The Reds fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties,” the club said in a statement. “We will have no further comment.”
Marte, 22, is one of the many talented young position players who made their Reds debuts last season was Marte. As part of the 2022 transaction that sent Luis Castillo to Seattle, he was one of four players signed by the Mariners as an international signing from the Dominican Republic.
Marte slashed .279/.358/.454 between Rookie ball, AA Chattanooga, and AAA Louisville, before the Reds called him up to the Major League club. Once arriving in Cincinnati, Marte made an immediate impact. Through 35 games, Marte slashed .316/.366/.456 with 3 home runs.
Obviously the suspension comes at a loss for the Reds. The top prospect was slated to start with the Major League club, as their everyday third baseman. The 22-year old will now serve out his suspension without pay, and the Reds will have to decide whether or not to give Marte time in the minors or in Cincinnati.