The Cincinnati Reds have activated infielder Noelvi Marte from the suspended list, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
Marte was suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy in March. He tested positive for Boldenone during Spring Training, sidelining Cincinnati’s No. 1 prospect for the first half of the 2024 regular season.
The Reds welcomed Marte back from a rehab assignment on Wednesday, even though he wasn’t eligible to rejoin the roster until Thursday. To make room for Marte, Cincinnati had to option infielder Livan Soto to Triple-A Louisville and transfer right-handed pitcher Emilio Pagan to the 60-day injured list.
“Marte’s return is a significant boost for us,” said Reds manager David Bell. “He’s an incredible talent, and we look forward to seeing him contribute to our lineup.”
Marte made his MLB debut in 2023, batting .316 with three home runs, 15 RBIs, six stolen bases, an .822 OPS, and a 0.8 WAR in 35 appearances. He is a .278 hitter with an .817 OPS in his minor league career, averaging 23 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases per 162 games.
During his rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville this month, however, Marte hit just .151 with two RBIs, a stolen base, and a .321 OPS across 12 games.
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Even with Marte back on the active roster, the Reds are still without two of their other top prospects who shined in the big leagues last season.
Infielder Matt McLain, who finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, has been sidelined undergoing shoulder surgery in March. Infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand went down with a right ulnar styloid fracture in May and is now scheduled to undergo season-ending wrist surgery on July 11.
Marte’s return could help ease the pain of McLain and Encarnacion-Strand’s respective absences, or at least that is what Reds fans are hoping for. Cincinnati lost eight of their last 11 games to fall to 37-43 on the season.
The Reds will try to turn those tides starting Thursday in their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET.
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